Categories: Uncategorized

Skirmish near Vienna

150 years ago today Robert Shenck was ambushed on mission from Washington. McDowell sent him on a reconisance mission with his troops. As they reached Vienna, Virginia, the train that was carrying them was ambushed. Two Confederate cannons fired shot, shell and canister into the train. Shenck ordered his soldiers off the train, formed them into line and attacked the enemy. The engineer of the train uncoupled the cars, and ran off abandoning them to the enemy. They were greatly outnumbered, but the Confederates retreated, believing that more troops were on the way. Shenck was able to escape with just a few casualties, but this skirmish made the Union advance much more cautious the next time.

civilwar150th

Share
Published by
civilwar150th

Recent Posts

Squire Boone: My God My Life Hath Much Befriended

It is not easy to be the little brother of a famous man. Many worthy…

2 weeks ago

Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence: Real or Fake?

250 years ago the representatives of the citizens of Mecklenburg County, NC declared independence from…

1 month ago

Alaska History Cruise Tour

We'd like to announce that we are organizing a Washington and Alaska tour from September 10-23, 2025. It…

1 month ago

Frances Havergal: Ever, Only, All for Thee

Take my life, and let it beConsecrated, Lord, to thee.Take my moments, and my days;Let…

1 month ago

On Bradford’s Trail: Delftshaven

Bradford and the Pilgrims left the Netherlands from Delftshaven. Today it a quaint street with…

2 months ago

On Bradford’s Trail: Home in Leiden

One interesting place that we visited during our trip to Leiden was the American Pilgrim…

2 months ago