After the victory at Battle of Berryville as the month began Process_start , Union Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan sought information about the troop strength of Confederate Lt. Gen. Jubal A .

Slave Thomas Laws of Millwood ( between Berryville and Winchester ) had a Confederate permit to sell Commerce_sell produce in Winchester three days per week , and agreed Agree_or_refuse_to_act to act as a Union spy .

Accordingly , Sheridan advanced Self_motion toward Winchester along the Berryville Pike with the VI Corps and XIX Corps , crossing Opequon Creek .

The reconnaissance Scrutiny was conducted Action by the 1st Brigade , 3rd Division of the Cavalry Corps of the Union Army of the Shenandoah under the command of Colonel , later Brigadier General , John Baillie McIntosh in order to determine Deciding Confederate strength around the Berryville Pike approaching Arriving Winchester .

On September 13 , 1864 , Union cavalry division commander , Brigadier General James H. Wilson ordered Arranging McIntosh to scout Scrutiny the Berryville Pike , also shown as the Berryville–Winchester Road .