2 May, 1864

General Imoboden, commander of the only confederate force in the Valley, learns of MG Franz Siegel's advance into the Valley.

15 May, 1864

A rebel force under Breckinridge, including a battalion of cadets from VMI, defeats MG Franz Siegel, a politically connected general, at New Market. 10 VMI cadets were killed as the result of the action on the "field of lost shoes".

5 June 1864

MG David Hunter with a federal army of 8,500 defeats General William "Grumble" Jones and his 5,500 rebels at the Battle of Piedmont. Jones is killed in the action.

11 June 1864

Hunter burns VMI

12 June 1864

Lee informs Early he is to take the Second Corps to the Shenandoah as the Army of the Valley.

9 July 1864

Early defeats Lew Wallace at the Battle of Monacy

11 July 1864

Early's Army of the Valley arrives at the outskirts of Washington. VI Corps arrives in Washington

13 July 1864

Early's Army of the Valley withdraws from Washington.

24 July 1864

Army of the Valley defeats Crooks VIII Corps at Battle of Second Kernstown

30 July 1864

Rebel Calvary under McCausland burns Chambersburg, Pa.
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31 July 1864

Lincoln and Grant meet at Fort Monroe to discuss the Shenandoah Valley situation

1 August 1864

Grant announces that MG Philip Sheridan would assume "tactical command" of the Middle Military Division.

5 August 1864

Grant meets with MG Hunter at Fredrick, Md to convey his objectives for the upcoming valley command. When Hunter realizes that Sheridan would command the troops he offers his resignation, which is promptly accepted.

7 August 1864

Sheridan takes command and Middle Military District is officially formed. Informally the VI, VIII, and XIX Corps and a cavalry corps were known as the Army of the Shenandoah (it would become its official name in the Fall).

13 August 1864

Rebel raider Mosby destroys Union supply train at Berryville. Colonel Leoanrd Currie's 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, XIX Corps would successfully escort 17 wagon trains in the next 10 weeks without mishap.

16 August 1864

Battle of Guard Hill, Va. a division engagement between Merritt (USA) and Anderson (CSA). 550 total casualties. Inconclusive result.

21 August 1864

Battle of Summit Point, WV. A division engagement between Sheridan (USA) and Early(CSA). 1000 total casualties. Inconclusive result.

25 August 1864

Battle of Smithfield Crossing, WV. A division engagement between Merritt (USA) and Early (CSA). 300 total casualties. Inconclusive result.

3-4 September 1864

Battle of Berryville, Va. A Corps engagement between Sheridan (USA) and Early (CSA). 500 total casualties. Inconclusive results.

19 September 1864

Battle of Opequon Creek (or Third Winchester), Va. between Sheridan (USA) and Early (CSA). For the USA, there were 5,020 casualties out of 39,240 engaged. For CSA, 3,610 casualties out of 15,200 engaged. Union victory. Because of it's size, intensity, and result, many historians consider this the most important conflict in the Shenandoah Valley. Sheridan would subsequently rename his horse, Rienzi, Winchester after his victory.

19 September 1864

4:30 p.m. Sheridan rides his big black horse Rienzi to the front and shouts: "Give 'em hell … press them … they'll run"

21-22September 1864

Battle of Fisher's Hill, Va. between Sheridan (USA) and Early (CSA). For the USA, 528 casualties ot of 29,444 engaged. For the CSA, 1235 casualties out of 9,500 engaged. Union victory. Following the battle the "scorched earth" invasion of the valley known locally as the "Burning" or "Red October" commenced.

9 October 1864

Battle of Tom's Brook, Va. between Torbet (USA) and Rosser (CSA). For the USA 57 casualties out of 6,300 engaged. For the CSA, 350 casualties out of 3,500. Union victory. Because of the speed by which the Confederate's retreated the battle was known locally as the "Woodstock Races".

17 October 1864

Sheridan arrives in Washington recommending most of the Army of the Shenandoah be sent to Grant, since the valley campaign was over!

19 October 1864

Battle of Cedar Creek, Va. between Wright/Sheridan (USA) and Early (CSA). For the USA 5,665 casualties out of 31,945 engaged. For the CSA, 2,910 out of 21,000. Union victory. Considered by many historians as "second only to Gettysburg as the most glamorous Union victory of the Civil War". Col Stephen Thomas, acting commander of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, XIX Corps would earn the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic defensive fighting early in the battle.

22 October 1864

Lincoln writes Sheridan: "With great pleasure I tender to you and your brave army the thanks of the Nation and my personal admiration and gratitude for the months operation in the Shenandoah Valley, especially for the splendid work of October 19".

23 October 1864

Assistant Secretary of War, Charles Dana, presents Sheridan his commission as a regular army Major General.

2 March 1865

Custer's Calvary completely destroys the final remnants of Early's Army at Waynesboro.