Archive for July, 2008
John Buford
The Battle of Gettysburg began when two brigades of unmounted Union cavalry led by John Buford, clashed with Confederate soldiers of General Henry Heth’s division. Buford and his cavalry were reconnoitering ahead of the army in Pennsylvania and discovered the Confederates as they were advancing on Gettysburg. Buford knew the importance of Gettysburg as a transportation junction, and the value of the high ground northwest of town.
General John Buford’s Spencer Carbine Rifles
As General John Buford’s unmounted cavalry held the high ground for the Union on July 1, 1863 on the outskirts of Gettysburg, they had a technological advantage over the Confederates they were fighting.
Buford’s unmounted cavalry used breech-loading Spencer carbine rifles. These rifles allowed the Union men to fire at a rate comparable to a larger unit of men.
