American History In Video: General John Buford
General John Buford from The History Channel (A&E Television Networks, 2005) 56:42.
 see more details
|
 Transcript
|
 View Thumbnails
|
 Embed/Link
|
 Print
|
- Transcript
- Clips
Stephen Lang General John Buford , one of America's least known heroes. He was battle bested(ph) on the western frontier and chose the ground the Union Army would defend at Gettysburg . Ride along with John Buford and the U.S. Cavalry, next on The Unknown Civil War.
GREYSTONE PRESENTS THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR General John Buford Narrated by Stephen Lang
Stephen Lang On the morning of July 1st, 1863 , a thick morning fog enveloped the tranquil rolling countryside of Southern Pennsylvania . Brigadier General John Buford , commander of the Union Army's 1st Cavalry Division appeared through the mist. He saw his two Union brigades, some 2,000 strong, stretched in a four in a half mile line of defense. Behind him to the east was the peaceful crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania . What the General couldn't see to the west was a Confederate Infantry Division approaching his position. Eight thousand enemy soldiers commanded by a fellow West Pointer General Henry Heth . The southern soldiers marched with confidence. They eagerly anticipated the glorious victory on northern soil. Buford's whole existence led him to that moment. The faith of the United States was in his hands as the nations most crucial military engagement, the Battle of Gettysburg was about to begin.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR DR. DAVID G. MARTIN Author of Gettysburg, July 1st
David G. Martin Buford is, is one of, I call one of the major, minor characters of the war. Someone who emerges at a critical point, at a critical battle to do something that changes the course of an important battle.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR EDWARD G. LONGACRE Author of Cavalry at Gettysburg
Edward G. Longacre He was a realist but he had the spirit of a fighter, a cavalry man's keen eye for terrain and a touch of the gambler. He was at the top of his profession, by this point he knew as much about cavalry tactics both mantled and dismantled as any man ever did.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR GARY KROSS Historian/Battlefield Guide
Gary Kross Well, he goes down in history as the man who picked the battlefield at Gettysburg , ah, the most important battle fought in American Civil War. The actions that ah, he sustained with his command on July 1st almost guaranteed victory for the Union Army. The right man was in the right place at the right time, his name is John Buford .
Stephen Lang Buford's date with destiny began long before he was born. Beginning with the Norman invasion of England in 1066 , being a Buford meant being a soldier.
Edward G. Longacre The family had a long tradition in military service including those ancestors who followed William , The Conqueror and in the 1700's several Bufords fought ah, for America against the British in the Revolutionary War. Ah, by the 1800's , Bufords have fought and the war of 1812 and some cousins of Buford fought in the Mexican War as well. So there was a long military tradition in the Buford family.
Stephen Lang John Buford Jr. was born in Woodford County, Kentucky on March 4th, 1826 , to John and Ann Bannister Watson Buford . Both of his grandfathers had served in the Revolutionary War and at the time of his birth, he already had a half brother Napoleon Bonaparte Buford , who is attending the United States Military Academy at West Point. John Buford Sr. provided the comfortable existence for his family and soon two little brothers, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe Buford were born. Although better off than most, the Buford family reflected the values of Kentucky Bluegrass country in the 1830's .
Edward G. Longacre Of the Buford family own slaves, they owned about 54 slaves in the 1830's . The family originally lived in Woodford County, Kentucky . The father was a prosperous farmer and also ran a stage line between Lexington and Frankfort, Kentucky making extra money for the family.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC J. WITTENBERG Historian
Eric J. Wittenberg John Buford lived a happy childhood in Kentucky . He was known to be a "daring the horseman" and a "crack rifle shot", he like to hunt. He was a, a very typical child of privilege in a happy place to live. Ah, Kentucky in those years was still something of a wilderness but it was a great place to, to be a child.
Stephen Lang John Buford Jr.'s idyllic life of riding horses, fishing and hunting in a lush Kentucky forests came to an end in 1834 . John's mother, Ann Buford became ill and died. With her passing, would also come a break from the southern traditions that the Buford family had embraced for over 200 years.
Eric J. Wittenberg It was ah, a crashing blow, the boys were range in age from three to seven. Ah, they, they lost their mother, suddenly they were going to be raised by only their father and their father in 1836 , moved to Rock Island, Illinois . So, they were uprooted from the geographical location that they'd come to know. They were taken away from even the place where they mother's grave was located and moved to the frontier near the Mississippi River.
Stephen Lang Now a Northerner, John Buford's father became involved in Illinois politics and served with Abraham Lincoln in the State Legislature. John, Jr. became more serious in his teenage years. He continued his love of horses that was fostered back in Kentucky . But his education and future became the young Buford's first priority.
Eric J. Wittenberg It's pretty clear that he wanted to be a soldier from an early age. His brother, Napoleon had been a graduate of West Point's class of 1827 and served with distinction in the regular army, and it was fairly clear early on that John wanted to follow in his older half brother's footsteps.
Stephen Lang Because of his older brother's appointment to West Point, John Buford was twice denied entrance. A rule limiting acceptance to only one son per family kept him out. Buford was discouraged, but he did not give up. Through the influence of his half brother and father, the academy finally relented and John Buford was approved for admission to West Point in 1844 . He joined young men from all over the country. City boys and country bumpkins, wealthy squires and working class lads all gathered to receive the best education on Earth. The graduating class of 1848 was a diverse microcosm of America , united as fellow cadets but divided as well. The mounting tensions between North and South began to invade the hallowed halls of West Point.
Edward G. Longacre Being on that, he was from a border state originally. John Buford was kind of in the middle of the secession crisis which build over into West Point while he was there. Uhm, cadets from North and South took sides and they had a lot of fights and lot of arguments during the time Buford was at West Point.
Stephen Lang Buford maintain friendships on both sides. His closest friends were Ambrose Burnside from Indiana and George Stoneman from New York . Both of whom later became Union major generals. But Buford also had many friends from the Southern states and was able to keep out of the violence and the arguments that started in the academy while he was there. John Buford was not an exceptional student and was often given demerits for socializing and smoking. Among his acquaintances at West Point were George McClellan , Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson , George Pickett , and two men whom he would eventually face in battle on the decisive morning of July 1st, 1863 , Ambrose Hill and Henry Heth . In the spring of 1848 , John Buford graduated from West Point, 16th in the class of 38 and on July 1st, 1848 was commissioned as the 2nd lieutenant in the United States Army. Buford's road to destiny had begun.
[sil.]
Stephen Lang By 1848 , America's two-year war with Mexico was drawing to an end. Some of Buford's fellow West Pointers had the opportunity to prove themselves on the battlefield, however, Buford did not. But the American victory against Mexico enabled the United States to acquire a large portion of the North American continent from Texas to California . It was now the duty of the U.S. Army to secure these new lands and ensure the safety of American settlers who are headed throughout the country. Second Lieutenant John Buford was sent to the frontier, a wonders but often brutal territory known as the American West. Buford was sent to the U.S. Cavalry School at the Jefferson Barracks near St. Louis and then at his request, was assigned to the mounted 1st United States Dragoons.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC J. WITTENBERG Historian
Eric J. Wittenberg The way it typically worked was the top ten percent or so of the class kinda appointed to the engineer corps. Then after that, the next most prestigious appointment was to the artillery, and then to the infantry and finally the cavalry was often said that cavalrymen had their strongest attribute with their, their strong behinds, and not their brains but John Buford being ah, ah, a master horseman meant to be assigned to the mountain branch.
Stephen Lang The Dragoons were kind of heavily armed mounted soldier that traced their brand of combat to the 17th century and the great armies of Europe. Slowly, the U.S. Dragoons adapted the Old World military traditions to the vastly different conditions of the New World as John Buford learned the lessons that would one day help save the nation.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR EDWARD G. LONGACRE Author of Cavalry at Gettysburg
Edward G. Longacre Buford is thought of largely as a mantled infantryman and that he was a dragoon and in our time a dragoon has come to mean a infantry soldier who merely rides a horse to the scene of battle where he dismantles and fights on foot with infantry weapons but that was not really true of Buford .
Stephen Lang The true dragoon of the prewar was a soldier who could fight both as infantry and as cavalry. He could fight equally well on foot and in the saddle, and he was equipped with carbine, pistol and saber to be able to fulfill his dual mission. Buford learned to fight both mounted and dismounted as conditions warranted. In 1849 , John Buford was transferred to the 2nd U.S. Dragoons and soon after was sent to the newly acquired territory of New Mexico . Early on, Buford was called upon to test his cavalry skills, to help maintain law and order on the frontier.
Eric J. Wittenberg They were given a task of going off after a band of Navaho Indians who had raided some of the locals, of stolen sheep and other livestock and they ended up having some combat with these Indians and also with ah, a band of outlaws from Mexico that had crossed the border. So, his first combat was early in his career as an officer.
Stephen Lang More challenging than fighting Native American tribes was simply surviving in the desolate, isolated and often dangerous American West. Frontier duty was hell, weeks and months of bad food, brutal weather conditions and loneliness drove even the strongest souls to their breaking point. John Buford proved his true strength of character in the west and was greatly admired by superiors and subordinates alike. It fell upon him to perform the most imperative of duties in the wilderness, that of regimental quartermaster.
Eric J. Wittenberg The quartermaster's job was to make sure that the men and the horses of the unit were adequately supplied. His job was to find forage for the animals, find food for the men to make sure there was adequate ammunition, to make sure that there were horseshoes and all the equipment that were needed to maintain a mounted force. It's a staff officer's position but it's a very critical function and the experience that Buford gained as regimental quartermaster of the 2nd Dragoons would serve him quite well during the Civil War when he was appointed chief of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac .
Stephen Lang Life was hard on the western frontier and Buford took leave whenever he could. In 1854 , he married his third cousin, Martha McDowell Duke . Martha was from a prestigious Southern family and the couple had known each other since they were children, but because of his service in the west, Buford's marriage was an essence of long distance relationship. By 1855 , as waves of new settlers pushed west, tensions increased with native American tribes. A dispute over a stolen cow led a band of the Brule Sioux to massacre a company of U.S. troops in Nebraska . John Buford and the 2nd Dragoons joined an expedition led by Brigadier General William Harney sent to Nebraska to discipline the Sioux.
WILLIAM HARNEY No peace. I'm for battle. General William Harney , 1855 .
Stephen Lang In the darkness, Harney's trooper surrounded the village of Chief Little Thunder near a place called Ash Hollow.
Eric J. Wittenberg And when they got into position, Harney informed Chief Little Thunder there would be no peace, there would be no negotiations, and at that point, there was a charge by dismounted forces that drove the Indians back against the infantry and most of the Indians were massacred, it was quite a bloody affair. It's called the Battle of Ash Hollow.
Stephen Lang It is not known exactly what role Buford played in the battle. Although dispatches written after the engagement, commend Buford for his good service during the battle. The United States was winning the war with the Native Americans, but internal strife between pro and anti slavery American settlers now became a focused for the country. In 1856 , John Buford and his dragoons were sent to Fort Riley, Kansas to keep peace among the civilians.
Edward G. Longacre From June to December, 1856 , Buford's regiment, the 2nd United States Dragoons, did occupation duty on the Kansas border. At the time it was called bleeding Kansas because there was a mini Civil War going on there between a pro-slavery eyes and free state settlers. The ah, 2nd Dragoons were sent there to keep order. Unfortunately, because that was hard to keep the warring ah, sides apart, the regiment often got caught in the crossfire. Still ah, during those six months of duty in Kansas , the 2nd Dra, Dragoons did a good job of keeping order and it was a thankless difficult job and Buford as well as anybody else ah, did his part in keeping the warring sides apart.
Stephen Lang During his mission in Kansas , Buford fostered a mistrust of civilians. He saw how they wage bloody guerilla warfare on each other over politics. He was disgusted by the spies and other rather unscrupulous characters he encountered in Kansas . John Buford carried this mistrust of all civilians for the rest of his life. By 1857 , John Buford and his 2nd Dragoons were sent to Utah to quell a separatist movement led by Brigham Young and his Mormon militia.
Edward G. Longacre In Mormons there under Governor ah, Brigham Young had defied the authority of the Federal government. They had abused and in some cases killed Federal judges, marshals and surveyors sent there. So, President James Buchanan dispatched a force of about 2,500 troops including the 2nd Dragoons in September, 1857 to quell the disturbances there and reestablished Federal law in the territory.
Stephen Lang After surviving a brutal winter in the Rocky Mountains, Buford and the U.S. Army marched in the Salt Lake City . The Mormons backed down without a shot being fired, but the experience continued to fuel Buford's disdain for civilians. During the summer of 1859 , Buford enjoy the rare visit home in Kentucky . He now had a young son and an infant daughter born while he was in Utah . It was at home that Buford learned that he had finally been promoted to captain after 11 years of service to his country.
Captain Buford at that time was considered in the regiment which boast and among its officers some of the most dashing and superior officers in the cavalry service as a soldier par excellent. No men could be more popular or sincerely beloved by his fellow officers nor could any officers be anymore respected and admired by his men than he was. Officer U.S. 2nd Dragoons, 1860 .
Stephen Lang While John Buford continued to protect the peace in Utah , his destiny was being decided for him in the east. In April of 1861 , Southern forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina . The American Civil War had begun, and 35-year-old Captain John Buford faced the most difficult decision of his life.
[sil.]
Stephen Lang By the time the news of Fort Sumter reached John Buford and the 2nd Dragoons stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah in the spring of 1861 , many of the Southern born officers had already resigned their commissions and headed off to serve in the new Confederate Army. Captain John Buford had every reason to join them. He was born in Kentucky to a slave owning family, he was married to a woman with Southern roots, and he had quite a few friends and relatives who had already joined the rebel army. Even his cousin, Abraham Buford had accepted a commission in the Confederate cavalry.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR EDWARD G. LONGACRE Author of Cavalry at Gettysburg
Edward G. Longacre So, there was some thought that perhaps Buford himself might go with the Confederacy when the shooting started. Supposedly in 1861 , he was offered a commission in the Confederate ranks.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC J. WITTENBERG Historian
Eric J. Wittenberg Word of these arrived to Buford in Utah and while sitting with John Gibbon one night, Buford told Gibbon that he been offered command of all the Kentucky forces. Gibbon became quite concern by this and said to him, "What are you going to do John ?" and Buford responded by saying, I have written him saying, "I am the captain in the United States Army and I intend to remain one."
JOHN BUFORD I will live and die under the Union. John Buford , Captain.
Stephen Lang In October, 1861 , Buford and the 2nd Dragoons arrived in Washington D.C. The Dragoons were renamed the 2nd U.S. Cavalry and despite his extensive cavalry combat experience, Major Buford was assigned staff duty for the U.S. Army inspector general.
Eric J. Wittenberg It probably was a waste of, of Buford's talent for him to be in the position like that but nevertheless, he did serve a purpose and the reason why I say that is, part of the job of the inspector generals office was to make sure that the new volunteer forces that were being mastered to fight the war were being properly trained and properly outfitted.
JOHN BUFORD I've confined my inspection chiefly that amounted service on account of its inefficiency and the aim of putting in at shape for active service that I fear will be a long time before we shall hear when a brilliant exploits from this branch of the service. As a whole, it is so raw, ignorant, indolent, and so poorly armed that it makes a bad comparison with other arms in the service. John Buford , Major 1862 .
Edward G. Longacre Buford did not like the fact that the war was going to be fought primarily by volunteers, by civilians temporarily in arms. And he also was very much dismayed that critically influential civilians could get high rank in the volunteer army. Where as he, after many years as a regular was still a major in 1861 .
Stephen Lang It was Union General John Pope who gave John Buford the promotion he deserved. He knew of Buford's experience and that he was worthy of field command. So in June, 1862 , John Buford was made a brigadier general. When General Buford finally entered the conflict in the summer of 1862 , he faced the Confederate cavalry that had thoroughly dominated the field since the war began. The South had better horses, more experienced riders, and a brilliant commander in General J.E.B. Stuart . By August, General Robert E. Lee and his veteran Army of Northern Virginia took the offensive against the less effective Federal Army of the Potomac . He ordered two of his corps led by Stonewall Jackson and James Longstreet to hit the Western flank of Union forces that were marching South toward the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia . Lee's plan was to blind side the Yankee army, cut it off from the safety of Washington to the North while still protecting Richmond . John Buford's cavalry brigade was sent into Virginia to find the Confederates. The Union troopers rode west toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and into the narrow passes between the two armies. General Buford soon found the enemy and sent urgent messages back to the Federal high command that a large attack was coming. His men got so close to the main rebel army that they came within minutes of capturing J.E.B. Stuart , instead they garnished his trademark cavalier hat as a trophy. Unfortunately, Buford's scouting reports were ignored by his superiors and on August 30th, 1862 , the Union Army was surprised and crushed by Longstreet and his troops in the Battle of Second Manassas. As the Federals fled to the north, it now fell upon Buford to cover the retreating soldiers and protect them from complete annihilation. The Confederate cavalry led by a friend from the 2nd Dragoons, General Beverly Robertson swept toward the fleeing Union infantry with only John Buford's brigade in the way.
JOHN BUFORD Boys save our army. Cover their retreat! John Buford .
Stephen Lang Buford led a charge of his own into the rebel ranks. For the first time the Union cavalry fought back. As the troopers engaged in a mounted clash, both sides cut with sabers and fired pistols with close range. The Union cavalry was forced to fall back but they had accomplished their mission and saved the infantry. John Buford's scouting reports would not be ignored again. During the battle, a spent bullets smashed Buford's knee. It wasn't serious, but it removed him from active duty temporarily after his first Civil War campaign.
Eric J. Wittenberg The brigade that Buford commanded was absorbed into the defenses of Washington D.C. and at the time General George McClellan recognized the he needed an able administrator to assume the position of chief of cavalry which was largely a clerical job. It was like being a regimental quartermaster on a much greater scale.
Stephen Lang On September 10th, Buford was appointed chief of cavalry of the Army of the Potomac . For the next six months, Buford watched the war from the relative safety of Washington . Once he recovered, he again took a field command under a new Union General, Joseph Hooker . In April of 1863 , he was ordered to ride deep into Virginia to attack Confederate supply trains and cause havoc behind the lines as the Union infantry attack Lee's main army. His new superior was cavalry corps commander and friend from West Point, General George Stoneman and his new assignment would be known as Stoneman's raid. The raid was a success, the Union infantry assault was not. Heavy rains had swollen the rivers of Northern Virginia preventing the cavalry from returning north to guard the Federal flanks. Growing impatient, General Hooker began his attack with only one brigade of Union cavalry to protect him and was routed by Stonewall Jackson's rebels at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
Eric J. Wittenberg After the failure of the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, Joseph Hooker blamed much of his failure on George Stoneman , the commander of the cavalry corps who'd been sent on a lengthy raid away from the army. It's a consequence the army had no cavalry screen and Hooker was hitting the flank where there should have been cavalry. He blamed his failure on Stoneman , as a consequence Stoneman was relieved of command at the cavalry corps and Alfred Pleasonton was given that position. That opened up the command of the 1st Cavalry Division. Buford as the senior brigadier was entitled to that command and formally received it in June of 1863 . There were three brigades in, in the 1st Division. One was commanded by Colonel William Gamble , the 8th Illinois Cavalry, the second was commanded by Colonel Thomas C. Devin , of the 6th New York Cavalry, and the third was Buford's reserve brigade. Then on June 28th, 1863 , ah, Captain Wesley Meritt was promoted to brigadier general, and was assigned command of the reserve brigade.
Stephen Lang To Chancellorsville , Robert E. Lee's army prepared to march north and take the war out of Virginia . In June, 1863 , he began to mass nearly 80,000 troops near the Blue Ridge Mountains and John Buford was ordered to slow him down.
Eric J. Wittenberg Because of the good scouting work that Buford's troopers were doing, the high command of the Federal army was aware that there was this large concentration of Confederate cavalry building around Brandy Station and it was assumed they were getting ready to go on under a raid probably in the Maryland or Pennsylvania . As a consequence, Pleasonton ordered the entire cavalry corps to march toward Brandy Station.
Stephen Lang On the morning of June 9th, the day after the grand review of the Confederate cavalry by Robert E. Lee , Buford took his 1st Division and splashed across the Rappahannock River at about 5:00 a.m. His troopers quickly ran into the Confederate cavalry who had been camped on the other side of the river. The rebels were surprised by the attack but were able to fall back the higher ground and hold their line. For 12 hours, Buford's men attack the Confederates even making a desperate, bloody, mounted charge into the teeth of enemy musket and artillery fire. By nightfall, after suffering heavy casualties, he was ordered to withdraw. The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought in the Western hemisphere. And firmly established Buford and his cavalry as a serious threat. John Buford was largely responsible for turning the fortunes of the Union cavalry. But they also had help from the superior weapons they carried. Union horseman was supplied with sharp's carbine short rifles which gave them several advantages over the rebels and their muskets.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR DR. DAVID G. MARTIN Author of Gettysburg, July 1st
Dr. David G. Martin Carbines were shorter weapon than the long rifles that the Confederate troops were carrying which meant that you could kneel ah, lower and be more protected but more important carbines could be loaded from the breach near the hammer and the trigger rather than the infantry weapon which had, it was a muzzle loader and you had, you actually extend your arm up in order to load the weapon which exposed your arm to ah, being shot. Also the carbines were able to fire to more rapid rate from five to eight rounds a minute as supposed to three to two to three rounds a minute that the normal ah, infantry men could, could fire. So they could put out much more fire power.
Stephen Lang Increase fire power and better leadership could not have come at a better time for the Union. In June, 1863 , the Confederate Army begun its invasion of the north. First, marching west to cross the Blue Ridge Mountains and then north through the Shenandoah Valley toward Maryland and Pennsylvania .
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC A. CAMPBELL Ranger/Historian, Gettysburg NMP
Eric A. Campbell General Lee was basically using the Blue Ridge as a shield ah, to ah, physical shield to hide the movement of his army behind the mountains. The only way that, that the Union forces could have find out where it was of course was through the gaps, and the gaps became then the vital areas to battle over and to tried a hole for the Confederate Army. And Buford's men were ask ordered to try to force the way through the gaps and thus find out where the Confederate forces were moving.
Stephen Lang The Confederate cavalry had the opposite mission, trying to protect the mountain passes and shield Lee's 80,000 men force from the Federals. As the two great armies marched parallel routes to the north, Buford's division engage the rebels in bloody skirmishes almost daily. On June 11th, Lee's army had crossed the Potomac River, the border between north and south. This army of invasion had to be stopped or the war maybe lost and John Buford knew it.
[sil.]
Stephen Lang While the rebel army's marched north, the Federal army replaced its commanding general, Joseph Hooker was out and General Gordon Meade took control of the Union forces in late June. It was just in time to face Lee's Northern Campaign.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC A. CAMPBELL Ranger/Historian, Gettysburg NMP
Eric A. Campbell The Lincoln administration including Lincoln himself wanted the Confederate Army to be destroyed. He saw it as an opportunity once the Confederate Army cross the Potomac River to hopefully trap the Confederate forces and destroy them but before that can be done you need to find the Confederate Army and defeat it. That was General Meade's main job, to find them and defeat them.
Stephen Lang On June 27th, 1863 , Buford's division cross the Potomac River into Maryland . For the first time since the war begun, General John Buford was defending the Union from enemy attack. As his troopers rode through northern towns, they were greeted enthusiastically by civilians who were anxious about war coming to their front doorsteps.
Eric A. Campbell On Lee's invasion immediately spread panic throughout the North specially Pennsylvania ah, because you had to remember most of the battles in the Civil War fought down south. This is one of few times the Confederate Army actually moved north. They didn't know what to expect.
Stephen Lang Two days later on June 29th, Buford's men caught a spy near Frederick, Maryland . The General sentenced him to be hanged from a roadside tree. He then issued orders to let the body dangle for three days as a warning to other rebel spies in the area. John Buford was in no mood for traitorous civilians. Buford was frustrated because he could not get information on the whereabouts of the Southern forces from Maryland civilians, many knew exactly where the rebels were.
JOHN BUFORD The inhabitants knew of my arrival and the position of the enemy's camp yet not one gave me a particle of information or even mention the fact that the enemy's presence. The whole community seems stampeded and afraid to speak or act, often offering excuses. "The rebels will destroy our houses if we tell anything." John Buford , Brigadier General.
Stephen Lang By June 30th, Union intelligence placed the Confederate Army in a 30-mile arc from the Maryland border north and east to York, Pennsylvania . At the center of this arc were nine roads converged from all directions was a quite, unassuming town called Gettysburg . That morning, Buford's division rode in to Gettysburg . Confederate forces had been there days before and Buford knew that the massive rebel army was not faraway.
Eric A. Campbell June 26th, the 1st Confederate forces marched into town ah, and they spread panic ah, in the streets of Gettysburg . Ah, they had heard rumors that civilians for weeks leading up to this, the Confederates were moving ah, this way. Thus, Buford's arrival in June 30th, was a great relief to the civilian. And when Buford's men rode into town from the south ah, the civilians flock into the streets to greet their defenders. Ah, kids lined up along the street and sung patriotic songs ah, women, children brought out water for the troopers and they were ritually(ph) greeted as, as a saviors.
Stephen Lang Just as Buford arrived from the south, a Confederate infantry brigade under Johnston Pettigrew was marching into Gettysburg from the west. Pettigrew saw the Union cavalry in town but was under orders from General Lee not to engage the enemy. So, he decided to withdraw and report the Yankee presence to his corps commander, A.P. Hill .
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR DR. DAVID G. MARTIN Author of Gettysburg, July 1st
Dr. David G. Martin Once they withdrew, Buford would have ridden through town in the best way to see the land would be to climb the copula of the Seminary Hill behind me to the left ah, where you get an excellent view of the, the series of ridges that extends out towards the west where the Confederates were. And he would realize that this was an area that could be very easily held by dismounted cavalry which is the way he like to fight.
Stephen Lang Buford also saw the hills from high grounds south of the town and knew that whatever army could control these heights would probably win the battle. Buford declared martial law in Gettysburg close the taverns to his troops and set up headquarters in the Eagle Hotel just west of the main square of town. After hearing Pettigrew's report, Confederate General A.P. Hill decided he would send a division led by Buford's old West Point friend, Henry Heth into the town to oust the small Federal force there. At the same time, General Lee was getting nervous and ordered his far flung army to concentrate near his troops on the Maryland border, no matter what road the Confederates took, it lead to Gettysburg .
JOHN BUFORD June 30th, 10:30 p.m., A.P. Hill's corps massed back at Cashtown , nine miles from this place. Its pickets, the boast of infantry and artillery are inside of mine. Rumors says Ul is coming over the mountains from Carlisle . When will the reserve be relieved? I kept General Reynolds informed of all that is transpired. John Buford , Brigadier General.
Stephen Lang On the night of June 30th, Buford warned his subordinates that a great battle was coming. He placed his men on the ridges west of town, straddling the Chambersburg Pike, a road Buford knew the rebel army had to take to get from Cashtown . The Union troops were confident that their General knew his men could only delay the Confederate Army. They were vastly outnumbered.
JOHN BUFORD They will attack you in the morning and they will come booming, skirmishers three deep. You will have to fight like the devil to hold your own 'til supports arrive. John Buford , Brigadier General.
Stephen Lang As dawn approached, Union cavalry squads of four or five men known as "videttes" were post to that in front of Buford's main line to provide early detection when the Confederates were spotted.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR GARY KROSS Historian / Battlefield Guide
Gary Kross Confederates are gonna be coming through that pass in the morning of July 1st, 1863 about 5:30 in the morning. Ah, they'll start their advance toward Gettysburg , this would be Henry Heth's Confederate division about 65,000 strong, pulling with them about 17 cannons. One men in particular, a gentlemen by the name of Marcellus Jones , he was a lieutenant in the 8th Illinois Cavalry who'd borrowed his sergeant's carbine, rest an offense post at the Whistler's house and fire a first shot at the Battle of Gettysburg. They're about 40 or 50 Union soldiers that were clustered in and around the house as the Confederates were firing there, overshoots can be seen on the wall itself.
Stephen Lang The rebel stall briefly, unsure of the strength of Union force that they had encountered. Henry Heth was marching blind and had no idea that Union General John Reynolds was only a few miles to the south with three entire corps of Union infantry. Buford's men had to hold until Reynolds arrive.
Dr. David G. Martin Buford knew that there were no Confederate cavalry in the area, which meant that he and his Union cavalry had commanded the field. He could have his men mount up into literally anywhere they wanted without interference with the enemy because the enemy had no cavalry to stop him. And he liked to fight his men as mounted infantry which is to move them quickly to a place, put them ah, behind shelter with their carbines and then hold off Confederate infantry and that was actually what he was at his best at.
Stephen Lang Buford's tactics worked, the rebels spilled off the Chambersburg Pike and formed the battle lines to attack the Union cavalry. As Buford's six artillery pieces blazed the way at them down the road, the rebels lost valuable time getting some 8,000 men into formation.
Gary Kross John Buford is here on this ridge line and he sees the Confederates tearing down the fences along the Chambersburg Pike to start deploying into these fields. Uhm, he takes a breath, he takes a deep breath.
JOHN BUFORD Gettysburg , July 1st, 10:10 a.m., the enemy's force were advancing on me at this point and driving my pickets and skirmishers very rapidly. General Reynolds is advancing and is within three miles at this point with his leading division. I'm positive that a whole of A.P. Hill's force is advancing. John Buford , Brigadier General.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC J. WITTENBERG Historian
Eric J. Wittenberg Buford walk then slowly fall back. There's some prominent ridge line out there, you could see there's a, a barn with a red roof. That's called here as ridge. Buford and his men will make a stand out there for approximately an hour before the morning of July 1st. Then they fall back to the position that he had selected as being his final and primary defense of way which is right here along the brow of McPherson's ridge.
Eric A. Campbell Buford's troopers faced many disadvantages ah, they are badly outnumbered and, and being cavalry ah, he wanted his main line of defense to be dismounted. Thus, for every three men on the front line, one men every fourth men was backed behind the line holding four horses. So. the main line itself would have been on the top of the ridge behind me, on either side of McPherson Barn and then horse holders would have been on the low ground ah, just, just to my rear.
Stephen Lang As the Union cavalry leap frog back toward the town, Buford again went up to the cupola of the Lutheran Seminary to view the battle and to look for his reenforcements.
Eric J. Wittenberg The cupola had a 360 degree view, you could stand up there and see any direction around Gettysburg . In particular, you could see the enemy advancing from the west of the Chambersburg Road. You could see in which way the supporting infantry of the, the Army of the Potomac was coming from. Buford was up there at least twice that day and in fact, when Reynolds , John Reynolds rode up with his staff Buford was in the cupola. Reynolds spotted Buford in the cupola and howled up to him, " What goes John ?" To which Buford responded, "The Devil's to pay," pointing at the Confederate infantry. Reynolds responded by asking him, "Can you hold until the infantry comes up?" To which Buford with characteristic brevity said, "I wreck and I can."
Stephen Lang By 10:30, Reynolds' Union 1st Corps arrived and immediately entered the battle. As the day progress, tens of thousands of Confederates arrived from the north and west while Union infantry continued to pour in from the south. The battle line was now six miles long in a semicircle around Gettysburg . Unfortunately, for the Federals, General Reynolds was shot and killed just west of the Seminary as his men defended McPherson's Woods.
Eric A. Campbell Ah, the monument behind me marks the spot where General John Reynolds was killed, leading his troops in a combat through the woods to counterattack the Confederate forces. Reynolds is on the front line, he'd look back to see whether troops were coming on to his support when firing broke out, a bullet struck him in the head ah, killing him instantly.
[sil.]
JOHN BUFORD July 1st, 12 noon, a tremendous battle has been raging since 9:30 a.m. was very a success. General Reynolds was killed early this morning, in my opinion there seems to be no directing person. John Buford , Brigadier General. P.S. We need help now!
Eric A. Campbell Even though Buford's main job of delaying the Confederates advance was now over, he was still actively involved in the battlefield. His troopers were now positioned on the left flank of the Union line behind the infantry and also on the right flank north of town. By two to 2:30 in the afternoon, overwhelming Confederate numbers had forced back the Union position from this ridge and it driven it back across the field behind me to Seminary Ridge, the Union Army's last line of defense.
Eric J. Wittenberg The 1st corps fell back to a position along Seminary Ridge. And this was the final defensive line. Gamble's brigade of Buford's division fell in along this stonewall at this mountain guarding the flank. The Confederate infantry is attacking this way and all of the, none of these trees were here so it was a wide open field of firing. Confederate infantry is trying to get around the flank of the Union infantry and what Gamble's men will do here is they will lay down such a severe fire into the front and flanks of this Confederate infantry as they're advancing that they will stop dead in their tracks.
Stephen Lang The Union Army was forced to retreat through the town and occupy the bluff overlooking Gettysburg known as Cemetery Hill. The Federals were battered but not beaten. They reorganized in time to repair repeated Confederate attacks and although they were driven back on the first day, the Union Army occupied the critical high ground which gave them the advantage in the bloody days that followed. Buford's delaying action had allowed time for the thousands of Union troops to arrive on the field. And as night fell, the cavalry kept watched over the Union left flank at the base of Cemetery Ridge. In the Union cavalry camp, Buford had never been more proud of his men and horses. As Buford said of that day, "The Devil's to pay."
[sil.]
Stephen Lang As July 2nd on, John Buford's two cavalry brigades were camped on the left flank of the Union line at the base of Cemetery Ridge. His pickets skirmished briefly with the Confederates near the Peach Orchard but by noon he and his exhausted troops were ordered to leave the battlefield and marched back south into Maryland to protect Federal supply trains. The battle that John Buford had begun would be decided without him.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC A. CAMPBELL Ranger/Historian, Gettysburg NMP
Eric A. Campbell Buford's removal from the battlefield in the morning of July 2nd heavily informs the battle but ah, the Union high command though especially ah, General Pleasonton , Alfred Pleasonton the cavalry commander saw fit to remove Buford and have him refitted, reorganized ah, near Westminster , south of Gettysburg . Once Buford's removed and left the left end of the Union army unprotected without cavalry. And that does expose the left end of the Union army to attack which later happened that afternoon.
Stephen Lang On July 3rd, Buford and his exhausted men and horses were able to rest. As General Lee launched an epic frontal assault against the high ground that Buford had secured for the Union infantry, the cavalry could only sit by 25 miles away and let the foot soldiers decide the outcome. Pickett's Charge as the Confederate attack came to be known was a disaster for Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia . The rebels had suffered over 28,000 casualties in the three day battle and were running low on supplies. And so, on the night of July 4th, the Confederate headed back home south to the safety of Virginia .
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR EDWARD G. LONGACRE Author of Cavalry at Gettysburg
Edward G. Longacre Buford was one of the first units dispatched to try to overtake Lee's retreating army before it reached the Potomac River then got back into Virginia . He overtook the Confederates in Maryland and had several fights with them along the Potomac. Notably, at Williamsport ah, Maryland , on the 6th of July and two days later at Boonsboro .
Stephen Lang Buford was unable to cut off the Confederates from the Potomac because the rebel retreat was covered by numerous artillery units that were positioned on the heights overlooking the river and could command all the roads leading toward the Potomac. Buford's cavalry was kept at arms reach by this artillery units. By July 14th, Lee had slipped across the Potomac River into Virginia . The rebel army's Northern Invasion was over. Abraham Lincoln was furious with General Meade over his failure to destroy the beaten Confederate Army and allowing Lee to escape.
Eric A. Campbell The criticism of Meade's ah, follow-up of the victory on at Gettysburg I think is somewhat ill-placed ah, he had a lot of difficulties ah, and suffered casualties and lost to a lot of leaders new to command uhm, I don't think that Meade was indecisive at any means. Buford , I don't believe was affective by this in, in any fashion at all. His job is to follow up as best he can the retreating Confederate forces and that's exactly what he did. And although the Union infantry was slow to catch up the Confederate forces, the Union cavalry including Buford was on their tail the entire time.
Stephen Lang In early August, John Buford received the tragic news that his 5-year-old daughter, Patty had died. He returned home to his family in Kentucky only to learn of the deaths of his wife's father and sister. By September, John Buford was back in the saddle chasing the rebels through the hills and across the rivers of Northern Virginia . He had been on the field for over a year and his health was beginning to fail.
JOHN GIBBON He suffered terribly from rheumatism and could not mount a horse without help but once mounted he remain in the saddle all day. Major General John Gibbon , 1863 .
Stephen Lang In the late fall, Buford's cavalry was driving the rebel cavalry back south passed Brandy Station, Virginia . By November 21st, it was obvious that Buford was too sick to continue fighting. He had fought in over 50 major engagements within a year he had lived outdoors in extreme weather conditions from much of 1863 . The army doctors of 1863 were unable to diagnose Buford sickness but he had contracted what was probably typhoid fever and fell seriously ill. Buford took up residents in Washington, D.C. in the home of his friend General George Stoneman as his condition worsen day by day. By mid-December, President Lincoln approved the promotion for John Buford to Major General. But it came too late for Buford and for the Union cause.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN I am informed that General Buford will not survive the day. It suggest itself to me that he will be made Major General for distinguished and meritorious service at the Battle of Gettysburg. Abraham Lincoln , December, 1863 .
Stephen Lang Buford was informed of the promotion and acknowledged that he would not live to enjoy it. On December 16th, 1863 , he slept into a delirium shouting orders to servants and others that had gathered at his bed side.
JOHN BUFORD For guards on all the roads and don't let no men run to the rear.
Stephen Lang These were the last words of Major General John Buford . At 2:00 p.m. that afternoon, the brave cavalry commander died at the age of 37.
[sil.]
Stephen Lang Buford's 1st Cavalry Division was overcome with grief, the one leader whom they trusted and willingly followed into battle was gone. As individual regiments held memorial services in their camps, John Buford's funeral on December 28th, 1863 was attended by President Lincoln . His pole bearers included an impressive list of the Union leaders at Gettysburg including Generals, Winfield Scott Hancock , Abner Doubleday , Dan Sickles and Gouverneur Warren . John Buford's body was then taken by train to New York and interred at the Military Cemetery at West Point. In 1896 , a monument was erected in his honor along the Chambersburg Pike in Gettysburg overlooking the tranquil fields that he had so valiantly defended.
THE UNKNOWN CIVIL WAR ERIC J. WITTENBERG Historian
Eric J. Wittenberg We're standing in front of the monument of General John Buford that was erected here on the battlefield in 1896 . It's a handsome monument, it portrays General Buford looking to the west, watching the Confederate advance. His two surviving brothers, Thomas Buford and James Buford were here at the ceremonies. Also in attendance was Colonel John Kailif(ph) . Kailif(ph) made arrangements for the original gun barrel to be retrieved from storage. And here it is right here, this is the actual gun tube that fired the first shot at the Battle of Gettysburg from an artillery standpoint. And it's here attached to Buford's monument.
JOHN GIBBON John Buford was the best cavalry man I ever saw. Major General John Gibbon .
Edward G. Longacre Buford's main contribution to the warfare of the later era was the salient characteristics of cavalry which were speed and mobility. Buford pretty much led up to the mechanized warfare of the 20th century. His cavalry troops made a, almost smooth transition to the tank warfare of a bar century. Speed and mobility became the ah, main motivating factors of the United States Army. So, Buford's influence was ah, greatly felt.
Stephen Lang Unlike many of the heroes at Gettysburg , the story of John Buford had been relatively ignored for over a century.
Edward G. Longacre As it's true in a lot of cases, John Buford has been recognized nowadays because he was portrayed in, in major work of fiction. Uhm, Michael Shaara's novel, The Killer Angels, which was published in 1974 and won the Pulitzer Prize the following year. Buford with one of the main characters in the book and that translated into a movie role for the same character portrayed by the actor Sam Elliot in the film of Gettysburg. That more than anything else has brought Buford to the attention on American public and has made him sort of an icon in a retrospect in 19th century warfare.
Stephen Lang The John Buford portrayed in fiction has inspired students of the Civil War to find out more about this western dragoon turned Gettysburg hero. But to the men who served with him the true character of the beloved horse soldier was no mystery.
MAJOR GENERAL JOHN GIBBON No name will stand higher than that of brave, honest John Buford . Major General John Gibbon
Executive Producers CRAIG HAFFNER DONNA E. LUSITANA Produced by ERIC LINDSTROM Coordinating Producer LOUIS C. TARANTINO Associate Producer LAUREN E. HERZ Editor BRADLEY HOLMES General Counsel SHINAAN S. KRAKOWSKY Original Music by CHRISTOPHER STONE ZELJKO MARASOVICH Post Production Supervisor BLAINE WILLIAMS Production Coordinatior DOUGLAS J. COHEN Post Production Coordinator JANICE BECH Online Editor MICHAEL L. HALL Composite Editor TOM DUGAN Assistant Avid Editor KATHERINE SMITH KYLE YASKIN Assistant Production Coordinator DAVID M. RAMIREZ Production Assistants BRAD HAIGHT JARED KING UNIQUE LENHARDT DON SVEEN Post Production Assistants PHILIP ANAGNOS TODD CARNEY CANDI GILES JASON KAIFESH PERCY M. VAZQUEZ CHRIS WORTHINGTON Controller ANIT CHAN Production Accountant VIVIAN SANTOS Field Camera JIM ARNOLD MARK DOUGHERTY Field Audio TERRY LASARDO JON PACKER Map / Title Design Animation CHRISTOPHER GAAL Post Production Audio MIKE GETLIN Post Production Services MATCHFRAME VIDEO Motion Control Services HMA DIGITAL THE PRODUCERS WISH TO THANK Eric A. Campbell Joshua Hayes Bobby Housch Gary Kross Edward G. Longacre Dr. David Martin James Morrison National Park Service, Dept. of the Interior, Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site The Robeson Rifle Guard The Sons of Confederate Veterans Ferris Bryan Stanton James Ward Eric J. Wittenberg ARCHIVAL STILLS AND FOOTAGE PROVIDED BY Ms. Esne Chanley The Church of Latter Day Saints Mary Dabrowski Sam Elliott Gallon Historical Art Harper's Ferry Illinois State Historical Library Institute of Texan Cultures Kansas State Historical Society Kunstler Enterprises, Ltd. Library of Congress National Archives Nebraska State Historical Society Ohio State Historical Society Brian Pohanka Random House, Inc. Bill Rasp Silver Vision Entertainment South Dakota Historical Society United States Military History Institute at Carlisle United States Naval Academy The University of Texas at Austin : Center for American History UPI/Corbis-Beumann The Utah State Historical Society The Valentine Museum Videovision, Inc. The J. Howard Wert Gettysburg Collection © 2005 Greystone Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved GREYSTONE
No clips to display.