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The Battle of Mine Run
November 26-Dec 2, 1863 in Orange County, Virginia
Mine Run Campaign
Union Forces Commanded by:
Maj. Gen. George G. Meade
Confederate Forces Commanded by: Gen. Robert E. Lee
**Missing and Captured Conclusion: Inconclusive Victory |
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BATTLE SUMMARY
Payne's Farm and New Hope Church were the first and heaviest clashes of the Mine Run Campaign. In late November, Meade attempted to steal a march through the Wilderness and strike the right flank of the Confederate army south of the Rapidan River. Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early in command of Ewell's Corps marched east on the Orange Turnpike to meet the advance of William French's III Corps near Payne's Farm.Carr's division attacked twice. Johnson's division counterattacked but was scattered by heavy fire and broken terrain. After dark, Lee withdrew to prepared field fortifications along Mine Run. The next day the Union army closed on the Confederate position. Skirmishing was heavy, but a major attack did not materialize. By the end of the day Lee had spotted an opening on Meade’s left and was preparing a counter-attack. Meade concluded that the Confederate line was too strong to attack and retired during the night of December 1-2, ending the winter campaign.
Lee’s attack was launched at dawn on December 2, but ‘hit the air’ and could only pick through the debris of Union campgrounds.
