Action at Nineveh

The Action at Nineveh was a cavalry action that occurred on November 12, 1864, during the American Civil War. A Union cavalry division led by Brigadier General William H. Powell defeated a Confederate cavalry brigade commanded by Brigadier General John McCausland. The fight took place in Nineveh, Virginia, near the road from Newtown to Front Royal, which is known as the Front Royal Pike. Nineveh is located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley south of Winchester and north of the Shenandoah River in Warren County.

Powell's 1st Brigade was sent south on the Front Royal Pike to search for Confederate cavalry. Commanded by Colonel William B. Tibbits, the brigade encountered a portion of Confederate Major General Lunsford L. Lomax's cavalry commanded by McCausland. The Confederates slowly pushed the 1st Brigade back, but Tibbits sent a messenger to notify Powell of the situation. Repelling the attackers twice, Confederate leadership believed they had driven the Union cavalry away. Powell, riding with his 2nd Brigade, brought it to the front while the 1st Brigade moved to the rear. The 2nd Brigade charged, resulting in a short clash that ended with the Confederates being chased for 8 miles (12.9 km). Powell captured all of McCausland's artillery (two guns), the ammunition train, numerous small arms, and took over 150 prisoners.

Two men received the Medal of Honor for their undertakings in this action. Private James F. Adams from Company D of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry received his award for the capture of the state flag of the 14th Virginia Cavalry. Sergeant Levi Shoemaker from Company A of the 1st West Virginia Cavalry received his award for the capture of the flag of the 22nd Virginia Cavalry.