It was fighting every day for the two aggressive commanders in the most recently concluded Shenandoah Campaign. As opposing cavalry dueled on the flanks, the main force of each army advanced on a collision course and met just below Strasburg at the end of only the third day of the campaign. The meeting might well have taken place at Strasburg itself. But when the cavalry screening the Rebel advance swung off on a flanking raid into the town, Federal cavalry and horse artillery were able to block the progress of the main Rebel column until the main Federal column passed southward through the town to confront the Rebels. The Federals deployed for battle through the night, but the Rebels formed up to withdraw at first light, preferring to drop back and meet the Yankees on ground more to their choosing. The Federals attacked with determination at dawn. The onslaught carried the Rebel rear guard, and in the running fight that ensued the Rebels were roughly handled. Darkness brought an end to the Federal pursuit. During the night the Rebel force deployed on high ground outside of Woodstock. Again, the Federals attacked at first light, coming in initially on the Rebel left. The Confederate commander strengthened the threatened sector and the attack stalled. But when subsequently the main Federal attack came in on the Rebel right, the Rebels found themselves at a 2 to 1 disadvantage on that front. With no ready reserve available to brace the right, the Federal assault broke through and proceeded to roll up the Rebel line. Surviving Confederates fled south and the Federal Army took control of the Valley. This was a short, violent campaign, befitting the aggressive nature of both combatants. Disdaining the defensive posture his smaller force might have assumed, the Confederate commander massed his forces and gambled all on a rapid thrust aimed ultimately at the Federal base at Winchester, where a victory would force the Yankees from the Valley. The Federal commander amassed his own powerful force for an intended long push up the Valley, confident that his strength would overcome any Rebel attempts to block his way. Fate dictated that they would both take the same road, and once North met South, it was a sure bet that these two fighting generals would duke it out until the issue was settled. Back to Table of Contents -- Lone Warrior #138 Back to Lone Warrior List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by Solo Wargamers Association. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com