Battle of Bristoe Station

Part of the American Civil War

Date	October 14, 1863 (1863-10-14)
Location	Prince William County, Virginia 38°43′24″N 77°32′30″W / 38.7234°N 77.5418°W / 38.7234; -77.5418Coordinates: 38°43′24″N 77°32′30″W / 38.7234°N 77.5418°W / 38.7234; -77.5418
Result	Union victory

Belligerents

United States

Confederate States

Commanders and leaders

Gouverneur K. Warren

A.P. Hill

Units involved

II Corps, Army of the Potomac

Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia

Strength

8,383

17,218

Casualties and losses

540

1,380

The Battle of Bristoe Station was fought on October 14, 1863, at Bristoe Station, Virginia, between Union forces under Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren and Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill during the Bristoe Campaign of the American Civil War. The Union II Corps under Warren was able to surprise and repel the Confederate attack by Hill on the Union rearguard, resulting in a Union victory.

The Union army was led by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, the Confederates by General Robert E. Lee. Lee had stolen a march, passing around Cedar Mountain, the site of a battle in 1862. This forced Meade to retreat toward Centreville. By withdrawing, Meade prevented Lee from falling on an exposed flank of the Army of the Potomac. Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, commanding II Corps in Maj. Gen. Winfield S. Hancock's absence, was following V Corps on this retreat. On October 13, II Corps fought an encounter with Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry near Auburn, Virginia, the First Battle of Auburn, nicknamed "Coffee Hill" (Confederate shells interrupted Federals who were boiling coffee). Warren had to push Stuart aside and, at the same time, retreat before the advance of the Confederate corps of Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell. On October 14, as Warren moved toward Bristoe Station, Stuart's cavalry harassed the rear guard at the Second Battle of Auburn.

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