Fisher's Hill

Maj. Gen. Jubal Early’s army, bloodied by its defeat at Third Winchester on September 19, 1864, took up a defensive position at Fisher’s Hill, south of Strasburg. On September 21, the Union army under Maj. Gen. Phillip Sheridan advanced, driving back skirmishers and capturing important high ground. On the 22nd, the Union VIII Corps moved along Little North Mountain to outflank Early and attacked that afternoon. Confederate cavalry offered little resistance, and the startled infantry were unable to face the attacking Yankees. The Confederate defense collapsed as Sheridan’s other corps join in the assault. Early retreated to Rockfish Gap near Waynesboro, opening the Valley to Sheridan’s two week “scorched earth” operations known as “The Burning.”