The American Civil War: Military Campaigns--Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)


Figure 1.--.

Gettyburg was largely an infantry battle. The role of the artillery and calvalry, however, is important to consider. The artillery played an important role, especially in defeating Pickett's charge on the third day. Artillery was less important on the first two days because in the early stages of manevering, there was less time for the artillery to manever and set up the batteries, especially as the Federal positions were on hills where it was difficult to position artillery (Culps Hill on the right and Little Round Top on the left). This was an advatage for the Confederates because the Federal forces had a much larger artillery component which by 1863 was becoming increasingly powerfull. Cemetary Ridge, the Federal Center, was only a slight elevation and perfect to position thecFederal artillery. Gettysburg is notable for the relatively limited involvement of the calvalry, especially the Confderate calvalry commanded by J.E.B. Sturart. Lee admonished Stuart for separating the calvalry from the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia, a rare event in the close association between the two commanders. While limited, there were calvalry engagements of some importance at importance, ironically occuring at the beginning and end of the battle. The Federal calvalry under Buford helped prevent Ewell from taking Culps Hill on the first day of the battle (July 1). This would have destablized the Federal positiin and probably forced Meade to withdraw. The Confederate calvalry helped keep the Haggerstown road open for the Lee's retreat as a result of an egagement at Fairfield (July 3).

Artillery

The artillery played an important role, especially in defeating Pickett's charge on the third day. Artillery was less important on the first two days because in the early stages of manevering, there was less time for the artillery to manever and set up the batteries, especially as the Federal positions were on hills where it was difficult to position artillery (Culps Hill on the right and Little Round Top on the left). This was an advatage for the Confederates because the Federal forces had a much larger artillery component which by 1863 was becoming increasingly powerfull. Cemetary Ridge, the Federal Center, was only a slight elevation and perfect to position thecFederal artillery.

Cavalry

Gettysburg is notable for the relatively limited involvement of the calvalry, especially the Confderate calvalry commanded by J.E.B. Sturart. Lee admonished Stuart for separating the calvalry from the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia, a rare event in the close association between the two commanders. While limited, there were calvalry engagements of some importance at importance, ironically occuring at the beginning and end of the battle. The Federal calvalry under Buford helped prevent Ewell from taking Culps Hill on the first day of the battle (July 1). This would have destablized the Federal position and probably forced Meade to withdraw. The Confederate calvalry helped keep the Haggerstown road open for the Lee's retreat as a result of an egagement at Fairfield (July 3).

Buford's stand (July 1)

John Buford and the 1st Calvalry Division were among the first Federals to arrive at Gettysburg (Jne 30). He and his his men played a major role in the Battle of Gettysburg because they were camped just outside the town when the first contact with the Confederates occurred. And it was his decession to stand and fight the much larger Confederate forces that set the battle in motion. Buford realized very quickly that he was facing a superior force. He organized a defense west of the town with the forces available. He was aware of the importance of holding the tactically important high ground in a battle and did his best to do just this around Gettysburg. Armed with repeating rifles they were able to hold the advancing Confederates back for a time/ Their stand helped prevent Ewell from taking Culps Hill on the first day of the battle as ordered by Lee (July 1). This would have destablized the Federal position and probably forced Meade to withdraw.

Stuarts raid (June ??-July 2)

The calvalry in the 19th century wee the eye and ears of a commander. Information on onemy deployments came primarily from the fast moving cavalry. Gettysburg is notable for the relatively limited involvement of the calvalry, especially the Confederate calvalry commanded by J.E.B. Sturart. Stuart is the most famed calvalry commander of the War. After consulting with Longstreet and Lee about the use of his calvalry in the invasion of Pennsylvania, Stuart began fabricating a plan for another of the dramatic cavalry raids for which he and his men were famed. He decided to raid around the rear of the Army of the Potomac, disrupting communicatins and seizing supplies. Much of the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia accompanied Stuart on his raid through Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania. Lee had retained several cavalry brigades to guard the mountain passes as he advanced north through the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys and to scout Federal positions. The Federal calvalry had performed poorly in the first two years if the war, but by 1863 was vastly improved. Some historians believe that given the Federal successes at Brandy Station and Upperville, Stuart was especially eger to achieve a notable success. Other gistorians believe that he was simply eager to plan how to best use his cakvalry to support the army of Northern Virginia. The resulting raid would separate Stuart's cavalry from contact with Lee's advancing army, esentilly leaving Lee blind in enemy territory. When he rejoined Lee he brought waggon loads of supplies 9afternoon July 2). Lee was, however, already heavily engaged in the fight of his life and had to fight the battke with very little intelligence. Lee admonished Stuart for separating the calvalry from the rest of the Army of Northern Virginia, a rare event in the close association between the two commanders.

East Cavalry Field (July 3)

On the final day of the Batte of Gettyburg, during and after Pickett's charge, two significant but not well known cvalry battles were fought. The first was about 3 miles (5 km) to the east. The area, as a result is now called East Cavalry Field. The calvalry fighting was the result of an attempt by Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart to get into the Federal rear so he could exploit the expected success of Pickett's Charge. Stuart was in a fighting mood after having been admonished by Lee. Federal cavalry under Brig. Gens. David McM. Gregg and George Armstrong Custer repulsed Stuarts attacks.

South Cavalry Field (July 3)

Immediately after Pickett's Charge, calvalry commanders in an uncoordinated action, conducted , reckless against the right flank of the Confederate Army. It took place southwest of the Big Round Top. Brig. Gen Wesley Merritt foight it out on South Cavalry Field. It was an opportunity to envelop Lee's flank. The charges were ordered by Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick. They were easily repulsed by entenched Condfederateinfantry and artillery. rig. Gen. Elon J. Farnsworth was killed. Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt made a futie effort to help cointinue the fight.

Fairfield (July 3)

A little reported cavalry action occurred at Fairfield a few miles from Gettyburg. Lee ordered calavry force to Fairfield to secure control of the Hagerstown Road. The assignmebt was given to Brig. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones. Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt after receiving reports of a Confederate wagon train near Firfield, ordered the 6th U.S. Cavalry under Maj. Samuel H. Starr to scout the Fairfield and locate the Confederate wagons. Starr after reaching Fairfield learned that a Confederate wagon train had just passed through town heading toward Cashtown. Starr decided to divided his small 400 men force three threee separate detachments to search for the wagons. One of these detachments encountered the Jones' Virginia pickets, but withdrew when more Confederates arrived. Upon receiving reports of tge Confederates, Starr advanced to a ridge and oredered his small force to dismount. He deployed them in fields and an orchard flanking thecroad. There they repulsed a mounted charge of the 7th Virginia. Chew's Battery unlimbered and opened fire on the Federals. Supported by the 6th Virginia, the 7th Virginia charged again. This cleared Starr's force off the ridge, inflicting casulaties. Starr retreated and Jones pursued them foe 3 miles to the Fairfield Gap. This was a sharp, but small action, but the Confederate calvalry helped keep the Haggerstown road open for the Lee's retreat.

Source

McPherson, James M. (Crown Journeys, 2003).

Wittenberg, Eric J. Gettysburg's Forgotten Calvalry Actions: Farnsworth's Charge, South Calvalry Field, and the Battle of Fairfield July 3, 1863 (2011).






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Created: 4:20 AM 2/20/2012
Last updated: 4:20 AM 2/20/2012