Location: Burke County

Campaign: Savannah Campaign (1864)

Date(s): December 4, 1864

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick [US]; Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler [CS]

Forces Engaged: 3rd Cavalry Division, Military Division of the Mississippi [US]; Cavalry Command, Army of Tennessee [CS]

Estimated Casualties: 440 total (US 190; CS 250)

Description: As Sherman’s infantry marched southeast through Georgia, his cavalry under Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick rode northeastward. He set out on the morning of December 4 to attack Waynesborough and destroy Joseph Wheeler’s cavalry command. That morning Kilpatrick’s men advanced, driving the Rebel skirmishers in front of them. The Union force then came up against a defensive line of barricades which they eventually overran. As the Union advance continued, they met more barricades which required time to overcome. Finally, the Confederates fell back to a final line of barricades within the town. After furious fighting, the Union troops broke through and Wheeler’s force ran.

Result(s): Union victory