The battle of Tom's Brook is regarded as the most decisive Union cavalry victory in the Eastern Theater

An interesting fact is that the battle of Tom's Brook is regarded as the most decisive Union cavalry victory in the Eastern Theater. The Confederate cavalry forces in the Eastern Theater outfought and outclassed their Union counterparts throughout much of the American Civil War. Confederate cavalrymen picked up the win after victory, led by aggressive and capable leaders such as J.E.B. Stuart, Wade Hampton, Fitzhugh Lee, John Mosby, "Grumble" Jones, and others.

Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan pursued Jubal A. Early's Confederate force through the Shenandoah Valley to near Staunton after his victory at Fisher's Hill. Sheridan began evacuating his cavalry on October 6, burning everything of military consequence, including barns and mills. Early followed, bolstered by Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw's division. Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser arrived from Petersburg to command Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's Confederate cavalry division was harassing the fleeing Federals. On October 9, Union troops turned on their pursuers, defeating the divisions of Rosser, whose cavalrymen were repulsed by Custer in a flanking move around the base of Spiker's Hill off Back Road, and Lunsford L. Lomax, who was positioned near the Valley Pike, at Tom's Brook.

A reinvigorated Federal cavalry arm proved to be the better battlefield force, led by new, young, and aggressive leaders such as Phil Sheridan, George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and David McM. Gregg. As a result, the Union cavalry achieved their most full and decisive victory of the Civil War at Tom's Brook.