Haw's Shop
May 28, 1864
Pamunkey River
Seeking to outflank Lee to the east, Grant's army crossed the Pamunkey on May 28th screened by Sheridan's cavalry. Lee began the march south to a formidable position on the Totopotomoy and sent 4,500 cavalrymen under Wade Hampton toward the crossroads of Haw's Shop to gain information on the Union intentions.
West Of Haw House
Union and Confederate cavalry collided west of the Haw's Shop crossroad along this stretch of road. After fighting here near the Haw House, including a failed mounted attack by the 2nd Va Cavalry in column down the road, the Confederates fell back a short distance.
Enon Church
The Confederates of Wickham's brigade formed a dismounted line with makeshift entrenchments near Enon Church in a line roughly parallel to the gravel road in the left-center of the picture. Rosser's brigade continued the line beyond a creek on the Confederate left, while the Confederate right was anchored on a stream. In confused fighting, the Confederates fought off Union attacks.
From Enon Church
Union cavalry attacked, and an indecisive firefight and back and forth battle erupted in this field. Additional Union and Confederate troopers arrived, including two Union artillery batteries near the Haw Farm visible in the distance. The green 4th South Carolina Cavalry were in the woods on the right of the road. Chambliss's brigade extended the Confederate left, but it was forced back. This threatened Rosser, who fell back, then Wickham. Hampton ordered a retreat, but some men, especially the 4th SC did not get the word and suffered unnecessarily. The retreat became a rout, but Hampton had captured Union infantry, indicating Grant's intention. Casualties were about the same on both sides, between three and four hundred men.