CIVIL WAR / JOHN BUFORD: GETTYSBURG’S FIRST HERO

The Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War Occurred July 1-3, 1863

“... we, the staff officers of the late Major General John Buford, fully appreciating his merits as a gentleman, soldier, commander, and patriot, conceive his death to be an irreparable loss to the cavalry arm of the service. That we have been deprived of a friend and leader whose sole ambition was our success, and whose chief pleasure was in administering to the welfare, safety and happiness of the officers and men of his command.

... That to his unwearied exertions in the many responsible positions which he has occupied, the service at large is indebted for much of its efficiency, and in his death the cavalry has lost firm friend and most ardent advocate. That we are called to mourn the loss of one who was ever to us as the kindest and tenderest father, and that our fondest desire and wish will ever be to perpetuate his memory and emulate his greatness."

CLASSIC CASE OF RIGHT MAN AT THE RIGHT TIME

Union General John Buford

Using a classic U.S. Army defensive technique that is still taught in the 21^st century at West Point Military Academy, Union General John Buford implemented a Covering Defense on June 1, 1863 to delay a much larger force of Confederates from marching on Gettysburg until the main force of Union soldiers could reinforce his position.  The U.S. Cavalry unit led by Buford fought hard to stave off the rebels until Union forces could barely have time to create key defensive positions around Cemetery Ridge.  Being able to hold Cemetery Ridge on June 1 of the 3 day Battle of Gettysburg was one of the major reasons the Union Army was better able to withstand and defeat General Robert E. Lee’s forces. 

“Coming Rain” oil painting by Dale Gallon depicting Union General John Buford at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863

MORE ON JOHN BUFORD.

BUFORD’S DEFENSE--Union General John Buford's Gettysburg Defense by Eric Wittenberg, author of The Devil’s to Pay: John Buford at Gettysburg - A History and Walking Tour, talked about Union General John Buford’s Gettysburg defense. This talk was a part of a symposium on the “Great Defenses of the Civil War,” hosted by the Emerging Civil War blog.  CLICK HERE for the C-SPAN Lecture.

BUFORD BIO—Here is a four minute clip on Union General John Buford: click here 

FIRST DAY AT GETTYSBURG--The battle of Gettysburg began on the morning of July 1st, 1863 as the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia collided northwest of the town of Gettysburg. The fighting that day was obstinate and bloody and would set in motion a series of events which would result in the defeat of the Confederate army. Join Ranger John Nicholas as he describes the opening shots of the battle of Gettysburg.  Click Here for National Parks Video.

TOMORROW:
GENERAL LEE BATTLES YANKEES & HEART DISEASE