Battle of Rutherford's Farm

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Early's Raid and Operations Against the B&O Railroad
Monocacy Junction – Fort Stevens – Cool Spring – Rutherford's Farm – Kernstown II – Folck's Mill – Moorefield

The Battle of Rutherford's Farm (also known as Carter's Farm and Stephenson's Depot) was a minor engagement on July 20, 1864, in Frederick County, Virginia during the American Civil War. It was a part of Confederate General Jubal Early’s Raid and Operations against the B&O Railroad (June-August 1864).

On July 20, Brig. Gen. William W. Averell’s Union division attacked Maj. Gen. Stephen D. Ramseur’s Confederate division at Rutherford’s and Carter’s farms. This sudden assault came in on the flank of Hoke’s brigade as it was deploying, throwing it into a panic. Ramseur retreated toward Winchester in confusion. Averell captured four pieces of artillery and nearly 300 men. With this defeat, Early withdrew his army south to a defensive position at Fisher’s Hill, south of Strasburg.

Nearly 5,850 men contested the farm fields, with 1,100 casualties reported.

Pvt. John Shanes, Company K, 14th West Virginia Infantry, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the fighting near Carter's Farm, where he "charged upon a Confederate fieldpiece in advance of his comrades and by his individual exertions silenced the piece."