The Battle of Newtown, also known as the Second Battle of Winchester, was fought on August 11, 1864, near the town of Newtown, Virginia. The battle was part of a larger campaign in the Shenandoah Valley during the American Civil War and pitted Union forces under the command of Major General Philip Sheridan against Confederate forces under the command of Lieutenant General Jubal Early.

The battle began with a Union attack on Early’s positions, which were heavily fortified along a ridge line. Despite facing stiff resistance from Confederate artillery and infantry, the Union troops were able to make progress and gain ground. However, a miscommunication between Union generals resulted in a gap forming in the Union line, which the Confederates exploited with a counterattack.

The Confederate counterattack was initially successful, but the Union troops were eventually able to rally and hold their ground. The battle ended in a stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The Union army reported around 2,000 casualties, while the Confederate army reported around 1,200.

Although the battle ended in a draw, it was a significant victory for the Union army as they were able to maintain their momentum in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. The Confederates, on the other hand, were unable to mount a successful counterattack and were forced to retreat further south.

The Battle of Newtown was also notable for being the first time that African American troops were used in significant numbers in the Shenandoah Valley campaign. The 8th United States Colored Infantry Regiment played a prominent role in the battle, fighting alongside white Union troops.

Overall, the Battle of Newtown was a hard-fought engagement that highlighted the fierce fighting that took place in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. Despite being a draw, it was a key moment in the campaign and set the stage for further Union victories in the region.