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Battle of Moorefield order of battle

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old map with route of Confederate troops
Averell caught McCausland at Moorefield

The following army units were involved in the Battle of Moorefield on August 7, 1864, near Moorefield, West Virginia, in the American Civil War. The Union Army units, and their commanders, are listed first. The Confederate Army units, and their commanders, follow. Three of the Union regiments were organized in West Virginia, and all of the Confederate regiments were organized in either Virginia, or Maryland. Most of the fighting took place within Hardy County. A small Union division commanded by Brigadier General William W. Averell surprised a larger Confederate force commanded by Brigadier General John McCausland and captured over 400 men. McCausland's force had burned the city of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on July 30.[1]

Abbreviations used

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Old picture of an American Civil War general
BG Averell
Old picture of an American Civil War general with dark hair and mustache
BG McCausland

Military rank

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Other

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Union Army Department of West Virginia

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2nd Cavalry Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of West Virginia

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BG William W. Averell[2]

Brigade Regiments and Others
1st Brigade

Maj Thomas Gibson[3]
(14th Pennsylvania Cavalry)


Additional Information

  • In late 1863, the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was armed with seven-shot carbines, Colt's navy revolvers, and sabers.[7]
  • The 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry was missing 212 men detached for duty elsewhere.
  • Captain Thomas Kerr of the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry led a small scout team.[4]
2nd Brigade

Col William H. Powell[3]
(2nd West Virginia Cavalry)


Additional Information

  • The detachment of the 1st New York and 22nd Pennsylvania totaled to 500 men who were loaned to Averell's force on August 4.[6]
  • By spring 1863, the 1st West Virginia was armed with seven-shot Spencer repeating rifles.[9]
  • The 2nd West Virginia Cavalry was held in reserve and used as support for the battery.[10]
Artillery
  • Battery L, 5th US Artillery: [4]

Additional Information

  • Battery L had two artillery pieces.[11] In Averell's report as of August 8, the battery was listed as having four artillery pieces and commanded by Lieutenant Weir.[12]
  • Averell had approximately 1,760 men.[1][6]


Confederate Army Army of the Valley

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Independent Command, Cavalry Division, Army of the Valley

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BG John McCausland[6]
Capt Achilles Tynes, staff[4]

Brigade Regiments and Others
McCausland's Brigade

Col James A. Cochran[4]


Additional Information

  • None
Johnson's Brigade

BG Bradley T. Johnson[6]
Capt George W. Booth, staff


Additional Information

  • Only the 1st and 2nd Maryland, and a squadron of the 8th Virginia, had sabers. Most men were armed with long Enfield muskets, which could not be reloaded while on horseback.[13]
Artillery
  • 2nd Maryland Battery (Baltimore Battery): Capt William H. Grifin Lt John R. McNulty
  • Jackson's Charlottesville Battery: Capt Thomas Jackson

Additional Information

  • Jackson's Battery of horse artillery had two pieces.[4]
  • McNeill's Rangers, commanded by Captain John Hanson McNeill, were nearby—but chose to camp further away because McNeill did not believe the Confederate camp sites were safely situated.[4]
  • Approximately 3,000 men were in McCausland's command.[1]


Notes

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c "Moorefield". American Battlefield Trust. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  2. ^ Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, pp. 493–495
  3. ^ a b Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, p. 495
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Patchan 2007, Ch.15 of e-book
  5. ^ "Thomas R. Kerr". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved 2021-06-17.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Patchan 2007, Ch.14 of e-book
  7. ^ Slease & Gancas 1999, p. 114
  8. ^ Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, p. 735
  9. ^ Lang 1895, p. 164
  10. ^ Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, p. 736
  11. ^ Sutton 2001, p. 146
  12. ^ Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, p. 496
  13. ^ Ainsworth & Kirkley 1902, p. 6

References

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