Total War in the Valley

US Army in the Shenandoah Valley during the Burning

Sketch by James E. Taylor, an artist for Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, 1864

“We had an elevated position and could see the Yankees out in the valley driving off the horses, cattle, sheep and killing the hogs and burning all the barns and shocks of corn and wheat in the fields and destroying everything that could feed or shelter man or beast…”

—Confederate soldier who witnessed “The Burning”

After General Philip Sheridan’s two victories over Early’s army in September 1864, he began a program to ensure that the Shenandoah Valley would no longer be able to support the Confederate armies. Known as “The Burning,” the Union army seized tens of thousands of head of livestock, more than 500,000 bushels of wheat, corn, and oats, and 12,000 pounds of hams and bacon. His men burned over 2,000 barns and destroyed 71 flour mills. One of the mills destroyed was owned by Daniel Stickley, located here on the banks of Cedar Creek. It was actually burned earlier in the campaign in August.