Location: Orange County and Culpeper County, Virginia Campaign:
Demonstration on the Rapidan River (February 1864) Date:
February 6-7, 1864 Brig. Gen. J.C. Caldwell [US]; Lt. Gen.
Richard S. Ewell [CS] Forces Engaged: Divisions Estimated
Casualties: 723 total To distract attention from a planned
cavalry-infantry raid up the Peninsula on Richmond, the Federal
army forced several crossings of the Rapidan River on February
6. A II Corps division crossed at Mortonís Ford, the I Corps at
Raccoon Ford. Union cavalry crossed at Robertsonís Ford. Ewell's
Corps resisted the crossings. Fighting was sporadic but most
severe at Morton's Ford. By February 7, the attacks had stalled,
and the Federals withdrew during the night.