Civil War Battles

State War Records

AL - AK - AZ - AR - CA - CO - CT - DE - FL - GA - HI - ID - IL - IN - IA - KS - KY - LA - MA - MD - ME - MI - MN - MS - MO - MT - NE - NV - NH - NJ - NM - NY - NC - ND - OH - OK - OR - PA - RI - SC - SD - TN - TX - UT - VT - VA - WA - WV - WI - WY

The Battle of Saltville

December 20-21, 1864 in Saltville, Virginia

Union Forces Commanded by
Maj. Gen. George Stoneman

Strength	Killed	Wounded	Missing / Captured
± 4,500	-	-	-

Confederate Forces Commanded by
Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge

Strength	Killed	Wounded	Missing / Captured
± 2,800	-	-	-

Conclusion: Union Victory

After the defeat of General Stephen G. Burbridge's expedition against Saltville, Union General George Stoneman reassembled a force to destroy the saltworks there.

Stoneman's force included Burbridge's Division and a brigade under Brigadier General Alvan C. Gillem.

After defeating a Confederate force at Marion, Virginia on the December 17–18, Stoneman's expedition advanced to Saltville. General John C. Breckinridge had 500 men at Saltville under Colonel Robert Preston. Another brigade of cavalry was en route under General Basil W. Duke.

General Gillem led the Union advance and attacked first. Burbridge joined the fight shortly after and the two Federal columns overwhelmed the town's defenses. Colonel Preston ordered a retreat and Stoneman's troops entered the town and destroyed the saltworks, accomplishing the objective of the Union raid.