Clash of Steel
for Military History & Aviation enthusiasts

Translate this Page

Search :

Yellow Tavern


Battle Name : Yellow Tavern

Date(s) : 11 May 1864

Part of : American Civil War , Eastern Theatre, 1864 , The Wilderness Campaign ,

Outcome : A victory for American Union Forces over American Confederate Forces

Type of battle : Land

Summary

While Grant was busy attempting to get the better of Lee's Confederates at Spotsylvania he sent Phil Sheridan's cavalry round deep into their rear to attack communications and spread chaos. He took 10,000 troopers with him and set about railroads and supply dumps. J.E.B. Stuart and 4,500 southern cavalrymen followed and harried but made little difference. On the 11th, at Yellow Tavern 6 miles north of Richmond itself, Sheridan and Stuart met head on. With a numerical advantage of 2:1 and much better, rapid-fire carbines the Union cavalry drove their long-time foes from the field. Worse than that for the southern cause, Gen. Stuart himself was mortally wounded.