Rude's Hill Action

Union Bvt. Maj. Gen. Alfred Torbert, chief of cavalry under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan, left Camp Russell on a reconnaissance mission up the Shenandoah Valley on 21 Nov. 1864. Torbert advanced through Mt. Jackson on 22 Nov. and pushed Confederate cavalry south toward Rude’s Hill. Confederate infantry and artillery under Lt. Gen. Jubal Early formed on the hill and turned the Federals back. Pursued by Confederate cavalry under Maj. Gen. Thomas Rosser, Torbert’s men retreated through Mt. Jackson. The Federals spent the night in Woodstock before returning to Camp Russell, near Kernstown, the next day.