In summer 1863, Confederate forces took back Lewisburg and moved toward Charleston. In August, Union forces led by Gen. William Averell were sent to capture the Virginia law library in Lewisburg and destroy a key railroad. Averell's 1,300 troops clashed with 2,000 Confederates at White Sulphur Springs on August 26.

After hours of fighting, Union forces failed to break the Confederate line. On the morning of August 27, low on ammo, Averell decided to retreat. The Union suffered 218 casualties (26 killed, 125 wounded, 67 captured), while the Confederates had 167 casualties (20 killed, 129 wounded, 18 missing). Though the Union retreated, the Confederates couldn't fully stop them or accomplish their goals.