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Firework Press
Battles & Leaders of the Civil War: The Cavalry Battle near Gettysburg
Battles & Leaders of the Civil War: The Cavalry Battle near Gettysburg
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Without question, the most famous battle of the Civil War took place outside of the small town of Gettysburg from July 1-3, 1863. Over those three days, nearly 8,000 would die, over 30,000 would be casualties, and the most famous attack of the war, Pickett’s Charge, would fail Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
The Confederate cavalry played an especially controversial role during the campaign. Given great discretion in his cavalry operations before the battle, JEB Stuart’s cavalry was too far removed from the Army of Northern Virginia to warn Lee of the Army of the Potomac’s movements. Lee’s army inadvertently stumbled into the Union army at Gettysburg, walking blindly into what became the largest battle of the war. Stuart has been heavily criticized ever since, and it is said Lee took him to task when he arrived on the second day, leading Stuart to offer his resignation. Lee didn’t accept it, but he would later note in his after battle report that the cavalry had not updated him as to the Army of the Potomac’s movements.
Given the intense focus on Pickett’s Charge, the cavalry actions of Day 3 often go unnoticed, most notably the fighting in East Cavalry Field. The vaunted J.E.B. Stuart attempted to drive his cavalry into the Army of the Potomac’s supply lines in its rear while the Army of Northern Virginia prepared for Pickett’s Charge. At East Cavalry Field, however, the Union cavalry fought the Confederate cavalry to a standstill, with George Custer’s brigade bearing the brunt of the casualties.
William E. Miller, captain of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry, went on to write an article about the cavalry fighting that was eventually published in the famous Battles & Leaders series.
The Confederate cavalry played an especially controversial role during the campaign. Given great discretion in his cavalry operations before the battle, JEB Stuart’s cavalry was too far removed from the Army of Northern Virginia to warn Lee of the Army of the Potomac’s movements. Lee’s army inadvertently stumbled into the Union army at Gettysburg, walking blindly into what became the largest battle of the war. Stuart has been heavily criticized ever since, and it is said Lee took him to task when he arrived on the second day, leading Stuart to offer his resignation. Lee didn’t accept it, but he would later note in his after battle report that the cavalry had not updated him as to the Army of the Potomac’s movements.
Given the intense focus on Pickett’s Charge, the cavalry actions of Day 3 often go unnoticed, most notably the fighting in East Cavalry Field. The vaunted J.E.B. Stuart attempted to drive his cavalry into the Army of the Potomac’s supply lines in its rear while the Army of Northern Virginia prepared for Pickett’s Charge. At East Cavalry Field, however, the Union cavalry fought the Confederate cavalry to a standstill, with George Custer’s brigade bearing the brunt of the casualties.
William E. Miller, captain of the 3d Pennsylvania Cavalry, went on to write an article about the cavalry fighting that was eventually published in the famous Battles & Leaders series.
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