Battle of Saltville II

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Second Battle of Saltville

Part of American Civil War

View of part of the Saltville battlefield

Date	December 20 – 21 1864
Location	Saltville, Virginia
Result	Union victory

Belligerents

United States (Union)

CSA (Confederacy)

Commanders

George Stoneman

John C. Breckenridge

Strength

~7,000

division

Casualties and losses

unknown

v • d • e Stoneman's Raid into Southwest Virginia

Marion – 2nd Saltville

Union re-enactors recreate the Battle of Saltville in Saltville, Virginia on Aug. 20, 2006.

Confederate artillery re-enactors fire on Union troops during the 2006 Battle of Saltville re-enactment.

The Battle of Saltville (20 December – 21 December 1864), was fought near the town of Saltville, Virginia, during the American Civil War.

After the defeat of General Stephen G. Burbridge's expedition against Saltville, General George Stoneman reassembled a force to destroy the saltworks there. Stoneman's force included Burbridge's Division and a brigade under Brigadier General Alvan C. Gillem.

After defeating a Confederate force at Marion on the December 17-18, Stoneman’s expedition advanced to Saltville. General John C. Breckenridge had 500 men at Saltville under Colonel Robert Preston. Another brigade of cavalry was en route under General Basil Duke. General Gillem led the Union advance and attacked first. Burbridge joined the fight shortly after and the two Federal columns overwhelmed the town's defenses. Colonel Preston ordered a retreat and Stoneman's troops entered the town and destroyed the saltworks, accomplishing the objective of their raid.