Stuart and 4,000 Confederate troopers began a fateful ride into Union territory that has been one of the most hotly … Kilpatrick had received orders to operate on the Confederate right flank, so he sent elements of Brig. In the meantime, David Gregg’s Second Division made its way across the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford and finally headed toward Brandy Station.
Rooney Lee fenced with Capt. Gen. Wesley Merritt’s Reserve Brigade of Buford’s division came up from Emmitsburg and engaged Confederate cavalry and infantry along the Emmitsburg Road. However, Stuart’s gambit worked, and the Army of Northern Virginia retained the initiative.On July 10, Buford’s troopers again met Stuart near Funkstown in a large engagement that eventually involved both Union and Confederate infantry. Hill’s Third Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia, marching east on the Chambersburg Pike. Pleasonton took three divisions of horsemen, two brigades of horse artillery and two brigades of selected infantry (numbering 3,000 men), and prepared to pounce on the Confederate cavalry on the morning of June 9, 1863.Pleasonton formulated an excellent plan for his foray across the river. Gen. David Gregg, at what has become known as East Cavalry Field.
With the 6th Michigan Cavalry leading the way, the men of Kilpatrick’s command charged Henry Heth’s division of infantry, which was the rear guard of Lee’s army.
His protests denied, Farnsworth led 255 officers and men of the 1st Vermont Cavalry forward, charging the Confederate infantry and then headed for two batteries of artillery deployed on a ridge behind. He was to gather supplies for the use of the army, create chaos where possible and then link up with Lt. Gen. Stuart rode out on June 25 and fell behind schedule immediately.
Save 42 Acres Every purchase supports the mission.The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education.The American Battlefield Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Army of Northern Virginia moved out, and by morning all but a division of Hill’s corps had safely crossed to the Virginia side. It was Robertson’s job to guard the passes and watch the Union Army’s movements. Both sides suffered significant casualties in a battle that had lasted 13 long hours. For hours, mounted charges and countercharges took place, as four full brigades clashed in mounted, hand-to-hand combat. Gregg’s artillery opened fire on Stuart’s headquarters at Fleetwood Hill and surprised the Virginian once again, as he had given his full attention to Buford’s attack.Stuart, thanks to the success of the Confederate troops at Yew Ridge, was able to shuffle more troops to defend Gregg’s attack.
Stuart commanded the cavalry wing of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia and, as noted in a letter addressed to Stuart from Robert E. Lee, served as the “eyes and ears” of the army. It was now about 9:30 a.m., and the outnumbered Buford was getting worried. As darkness fell, the fighting petered out, and Kilpatrick went to take up a position on the Federal flank.The next morning, recognizing the importance of the intersection of the Hanover and Low Dutch Roads – the Low Dutch Road being a direct route to the rear of the Union center – Gregg decided to strongly picket it.
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Buford’s command later joined, but the lack of coordination cost the combined divisions a chance to inflict a heavy blow on the Army of Northern Virginia.
Duffíe’s division was absorbed into Gregg’s division, and the Frenchman reverted to command of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. Federal troopers nearly seized Fleetwood Hill and Stuart’s headquarters before finally being driven off.The focus of the fighting then shifted back to Buford’s troopers. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643.Union cavalry attack at St. James Church on the Brandy Station BattlefieldView of Fleetwood Hill, the site the climactic moments of the Battle of Brandy Station.Union troopers of the 1st Maine Cavalry skirmish with Stuart's horsemen at the Battle of Middleburg.Major General Hugh J. Kilpatrick (Library of Congress)South Cavalry Field, the site of Farnsworth's fatal charge. Gen. As May turned to June, Stuart held a series of grand reviews of his horsemen, culminating with a review by Little did Stuart realize that as General Lee inspected his troops, 9,000 Federal cavalrymen lay just across the Rappahannock River preparing to attack the following morning. "The Army was much embarrassed by the absence of the cavalry," Robert E. Lee wrote of the Gettysburg campaign, stirring a controversy that continues even today.
By the time of the Gettysburg Campaign during the summer of 1863, J.E.B.
As Buford put it, “The zeal, bravery, and good behavior of the officers and men on the night of June 30, and during July 1, was commendable in the extreme. Although Brig. The 2nd South Carolina fell back to a strong defensive position and was only driven off after a Union artillery shell took the foot of Col. Matthew C. Butler, the commander of the Palmetto Staters. The next day, at Smithsburg, Md., Kilpatrick’s troopers skirmished with Stuart’s men before moving on to Boonsboro.July 6 was the day of decision.
Buford recognized the good defensive ground to the south and east of the town and determined to defend it.Buford’s brigades moved two miles west of town to McPherson’s Ridge, and Buford then spent the night preparing his defense of the town. Upon reaching Hanover at 10 a.m., Stuart’s men were surprised to encounter Judson Kilpatrick’s Union cavalry forces. The great Battle of Brandy Station was over.The Army of Northern Virginia’s infantry marched the next day, June 10.
The division advanced in columns of four, with Col. Benjamin F. “Grimes” Davis’ brigade leading the way. Stuart, who was considered to be the "eyes and the ears" of the Lee's army, was known for his cavalier inspired uniform complete with an ostrich plume and red lined grey cape.