While the Army of the Potomac was attempting to force a passage of the Rappahannock river the position assigned to the right of the column, then under command of Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, was at Rappahannock Station. Sedgwick was ordered to push the Confederates across the river before dark if possible, while another portion of the army was attempting a passage at Kelly's ford. The 5th corps (Sykes) and Sedgwick's own (the 6th), then com- manded by Brig.Gen. Wright, took positions on the right and left of the railroad and by 3 p.m. had pushed forward their skirmishers and driven the Confederates to their rifle-pits.

The enemy's works were two redoubts, both on the left of the railroad, connected by a double line of rifle-pits extending 1,000 yards along the river. All afternoon the Federal artillery kept up a vigorous fire upon the works, but apparently without effect, as the Confederates replied just as vigorously. Just at dusk
Sedgwick ordered an assault. Brig. Gen. David A. Russell with two brigades of his division executed the movement under a galling fire, the works were captured and the whole garrison cut off and taken prisoners.

The assault was acknowledged to be one of the most gallant in history. The Federal loss in the affair was 83 killed, 330 wounded and 6 missing, the Confederates lost 6 killed, 39 wounded and 1,629 captured, besides 8 colors, a battery, 2,000 stands of small arms and a pontoon train.

Source: The Union Army, vol. 6

North shore

Up stream view

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