Military
On the afternoon of May 8, 1862, Gen. Edward “Allegheny” Johnson placed two brigades of Confederate infantry on Sitlington’s Hill facing Federal forces across Bull Pasture Creek near McDowell. Late in the day, the Federals under Gen. Robert H. Milroy crossed the swollen creek by the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike bridge and attacked the right of Johnson’s line, held by the 31st Virginia Infantry, gaining some success until Gen. William Taliaferro’s brigade of Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s Valley Army arrived from Staunton and stabilized the position. The Federals then launched a fierce assault against the Confederate center held by the 12th Georgia Infantry and supported by Taliaferro’s regiments as they entered the field. As darkness fell, heavy volleys caused serious casualties on both sides. Col. Samuel Gibbons of the 10th Virginia Infantry was killed, and General Johnson was carried from the field with a severe ankle wound. Shortly before 9 p.m., the Federals ended their unsuccessful attack, burned their camps, and began retreating toward Franklin.
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Virginia · United States
