General Earl Van Dorn was one of the most daring and energetic Confederate leaders of the American Civil War. Known for his boldness, charisma, and cavalry raids, Van Dorn had a military career that spanned the Mexican-American War, frontier conflicts defending the Cherokee from the Comanche, and pivotal battles during the Civil War. His record is one of action, controversy, and moments of brilliance that left a lasting impression on Confederate strategy, particularly in the Western Theater.
This article outlines Van Dorn’s notable military engagements, including early conflicts against the Comanche, his seizure of federal installations at the start of the Civil War, and major battles and raids conducted under his leadership.
General Van Dorn’s Overall Record:
3-2 VS Union
5-2 Overall As Commander
5-0 Overall As Cavalry Commander
Early Military Experience: Mexican-American War and the Frontier
Like many great generals and commanders, General Van Dorn did not win every battle that he fought. He did, however, win more than he lost and was undefeated as a Cavalry Commander.
Van Dorn graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1842 and was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He served with distinction in the Mexican-American War under General Winfield Scott, taking part in the siege of Veracruz and the battles of Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and Chapultepec. For his bravery, he received two brevet promotions.
After the war, Van Dorn continued his service in the cavalry and was stationed on the Texas frontier, where he fought in two campaigns against the Comanche. In 1858, Van Dorn was severely wounded during an engagement at the Battle of Crooked Creek but continued to fight, helping lead the charge that drove the Comanche warriors from their stronghold.
These frontier campaigns honed Van Dorn’s skills in fast-moving cavalry warfare and built his reputation as a fearless and aggressive commander.
2-0 VS The Comanche. Earl Van Dorn saved the Cherokee.
The Star of the West and the First Surrender of the Civil War
With the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Van Dorn resigned from the U.S. Army and joined the Confederate cause. He was commissioned as a colonel in the Mississippi Militia and quickly promoted to brigadier general in the Confederate Army.
In early 1861, General Van Dorn achieved the first surrender of the war. He led the seizure of the Union steamship Star of the West (carrying Union soldiers). These swift actions gave the Confederacy early momentum and symbolized Van Dorn’s aggressive approach to the conflict.
1-0 VS Union with no bloodshed and significant ship captured. All men surrendered.
3-0 Overall Record As Commander.
Pea Ridge (March 7–8, 1862)
Van Dorn was appointed commander of the Trans-Mississippi District and launched a campaign to reclaim Missouri for the Confederacy. At the Battle of Pea Ridge in Arkansas, Van Dorn attempted a daring flanking maneuver against Union forces under General Samuel R. Curtis.
Although Van Dorn’s strategy initially placed the Union forces at a disadvantage, logistical failures and the deaths of two senior Confederate commanders (Generals McCulloch and McIntosh) led to a collapse in coordination. Van Dorn was ultimately forced to retreat. Despite the defeat, his boldness in launching the offensive deep into Union-held territory was noted and most did not blame Van Dorn.
1-1 VS Union
3-1 Overall As Commander
Second Corinth Campaign (October 3–4, 1862)
In the fall of 1862, Van Dorn led Confederate forces in an attempt to recapture the key rail hub of Corinth, Mississippi, which had been fortified by Union General William S. Rosecrans. Van Dorn launched a frontal assault that achieved initial success but stalled due to lack of reinforcements and difficult terrain.
On the second day, a determined Union counterattack drove Van Dorn’s exhausted troops from the field. The failure at Corinth damaged his reputation in the Confederate high command, though he was not stripped of his command.
1-2 VS Union
3-2 Overall As Commander
3-0 Overall As Cavalry Commander
Cavalry Command and the Holly Springs Raid (December 20, 1862)
Reassigned to cavalry operations, Van Dorn soon demonstrated his true brilliance. In one of the most successful Confederate raids of the war, Van Dorn led 3,500 cavalrymen deep behind Union lines to destroy the Union supply base at Holly Springs, Mississippi. The raid resulted in the capture of over 1,500 Union troops and the destruction of vast quantities of supplies.
The raid forced General Ulysses S. Grant to abandon his first attempt to capture Vicksburg and retreat. It was a strategic triumph that delayed the Union advance for months and demonstrated the power of well-coordinated cavalry action.
2-2 VS Union
4-2 Overall As Commander
4-0 Overall As Cavalry Commander
Thompson’s Station (March 5, 1863)
Van Dorn’s last major success came at the Battle of Thompson’s Station in Tennessee. In coordination with General Nathan Bedford Forrest and Brigadier General William “Red” Jackson, Van Dorn’s forces routed a Union column under Colonel John Coburn, capturing over 1,200 Union soldiers and forcing a hasty withdrawal in one of the most complete Confederate victories of the war.
This victory once again highlighted Van Dorn’s skill in aggressive cavalry warfare and his ability to coordinate with gifted subordinates like Forrest and Jackson.
3-2 VS Union
5-2 Overall As Commander
5-0 Overall As Cavalry Commander
Final Days and Legacy
Tragically, Van Dorn’s career was cut short. On May 7, 1863, he was murdered at his headquarters in Spring Hill, Tennessee, by Dr. George B. Peters, who claimed Van Dorn had been involved with his wife. The killing shocked the Confederate command and ended the life of one of its boldest cavalry leaders.
Despite controversies surrounding his personal life, Van Dorn’s military record speaks to a commander who understood the power of swift, mobile warfare. His raids, particularly Holly Springs and Thompson’s Station, had significant impacts on Union operations. His early career, including his actions in the Mexican-American War and frontier conflicts, revealed a soldier of tenacity and daring.
Van Dorn’s battle record, though mixed in terms of outcomes, reflects a general who was willing to take risks, think creatively, and seize opportunities where others hesitated. He remains a compelling figure in the study of Confederate military history.