The Civil War by LearnCivilWarHistory.com

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. His cavalry dismounted and held McPherson Ridge for the Union. The resulting skirmish on the outskirts of Gettysburg was the beginning of the three-day Battle of Gettysburg. Without John Buford’s actions early on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union may not have triumphed at Gettysburg. Sadly, within six-months of the Battle of Gettysburg, John Buford would die of typhoid fever.

Holding the high ground was a crucial advantage for the Union during the Battle of Gettysburg. There is a statue today along the Chambersburg Pike at the Gettysburg National Military Park, of General John Buford. Buford’s monument at Gettysburg depicts him standing and looking to the west, holding a pair of field glasses, wearing cavalry boots, with sheathed sword at his side … as he did on July 1, 1863.

John Buford was born in Kentucky on March 4th, 1826, but early in life his family moved to Illinois. From age eight, he lived in Rock Island, Illinois. Buford’s father did not support Abraham Lincoln, as he was a politician in the Democratic Party of Illinois. The Buford family had a long history of serving in the military, both Buford’s grandfather and great uncle had fought in the Revolutionary War. Buford had a half-brother who served in the Civil War and became a major general for the Union Army, and he had a cousin who fought for the Confederates as a cavalry brigadier general.

After graduation from West Point, Buford started service as a dragoon. He began in the 1st United States Dragoons as a brevet second lieutenant. The following year he went to the 2nd United States Dragoons.

A dragoon soldier uses a horse to get to the battlefield and to move about the battlefield, but he dismounts from the horse in order to fight. This is different from Civil War cavalry because cavalry fight while mounted. This is all in theory however, during the Civil War cavalry were more apt to be performing as mounted infantry. One particular example of a battle fought by mounted cavalry was Brandy Station.

During his dragoon service, Buford was in the Southwest and Texas. He fought the Sioux and was involved with peacekeeping assignments in Kansas during the period of unrest known as Bleeding Kansas. Buford saw action in the western frontier, and during 1857-1858 was part of an expedition in Utah against the Mormons.

In 1857, Mormons living near Salt Lake City, Utah declared they were immune from the laws of the United States. The Mormons would not permit wagon trains on their way to California to pass through their territory, a few groups of wagon trains were slaughtered by the Mormons. The response by the United States was to send troops out to quell the problem. From Fort Leavenworth, the 5th and 10th United States Infantry, and two artillery batteries set out for Utah. The Second United States Dragoons, including John Buford, followed. Getting to Utah however, was not easy. Along the way the Utah Expedition met up with Mormon guerillas, and the hostile environment of the local country made it very difficult to find food and supplies. Cold weather finally made it impossible for the Utah Expedition to continue on.

In November of 1857, Albert Sidney Johnston (during the Civil War, a Confederate general) took command. By the next spring, Johnston had enlarged his force to 5,500 troops, which was over half of the current standing army of the United States. When the Mormons realized what they were now up against, they agreed to peace, United States law, and wagon trains passing through their territory. A significant note of the Utah Expedition is that many future Civil War leaders took part.

After Gettysburg, Buford served and fought until the end of the Bristoe Campaign. He became sick with typhoid fever and because of his poor health, Buford gave up his command on November 21, 1863. Buford’s illness was very serious and by the middle of December it was plain he would die.

Buford was on his deathbed at the home of his good and long-time friend, General George Stoneman, in Washington. Stoneman made a proposal on December 16, that John Buford be promoted to major general. President Lincoln wrote: "I am informed that General Buford will not survive the day. It suggests itself to me that he will be made Major General for distinguished and meritorious service at the Battle of Gettysburg."

When told of this, John Buford was dubious and asked "Does he mean it?" When he was told it was true, Buford replied, "It is too late, now I wish I could live." Buford died later that afternoon.

Major General John Buford is buried at West Point. Next to Buford’s grave is the grave of Lieutenant Alonzo Cushing. Cushing fell at Gettysburg while fighting to hold Buford’s chosen high ground.