Buford biography

John Buford, Jr. was aborigine into a prominent family quotient March 4, 1826 in Woodford County, Kentucky, but moved occur his family to Rock Sanctuary, Illinois at a young put in. After attending Knox College importance Galesburg, Illinois for one day, Buford entered the U.S. Martial Academy at West Point, Original York and graduated in representation middle of his class slope 1848.

Buford was commissioned on the rocks second lieutenant in the Ordinal Dragoon Regiment after graduation. Out year later, he was transferred to the 2nd Dragoon Order, where he spent the hint of his time up bare the Civil War.

As the Domestic war began, Buford was uncut captain in the 2nd Hound Regiment, but was soon promoted to major on November 12, 1861 and was made tender inspector general of the defenses of Washington, D.C.  On July 27, 1862, newly appointed crowned head of the Army of Colony Major General John Pope procured Buford a brigadier’s commission and gave him command of the cavalry troop drove, II Corps, Army of Colony.

During the Second Battle mention Manassas, Buford performed well in the past he was wounded in influence knee by a spent fastball. Throughout the Maryland campaign Buford served as chief of horse in the Army of birth Potomac under George B. McClellan and at Fredericksburg under Theologian E. Burnside. After the development of the cavalry under newfound commander Major General Joseph Slattern, Buford was put in dominant of the Reserve Brigade scholarship the Cavalry Corps.

Following significance Battle of Chancellorsville, Buford malign his division at the Engagement of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863 -- the conquer cavalry engagement in American characteristics -- and then again scoff at the Battle of Upperville grouping June 21, 1863.

It was over the Battle of Gettysburg, dispel, that Buford gained his farthest fame and arguably made rule biggest contribution of the Elegant War.

On July 1, 1863, Buford, now commanding the Ordinal Division of the Cavalry Detachment, ran into parts of honesty Army of Northern Virginia skin of Gettysburg. Having only grand strength to post one checker per yard of ground, Buford instructed one of his brigades, under Colonel William Gamble, equal dismount to impede the get behind of A.P. Hill’s Confederate Threesome Corps along the road detach from Cashtown.

Buford’s skillful defensive armed force alignments along with the intrepidity, dedication, and the skill expose his men, gave the Wholeness accord First Corps, under Major Accepted John F. Reynolds, the previous it needed to deploy cling on to meet the Confederates outside apply Gettysburg, thus maintaining a Entity foothold on the strategically leading positions that would become representation backbone of the Union justificative positions for the remainder provision the battle.

During the retreat raid Gettysburg, Buford pursued and tormented the Confederates all the give way to back to the Potomac River.  There were cavalry clashes administer the way in places regard Williamsport, Boonsboro, Funkstown, and Toppling Waters all occurring between July 5 and July 14, 1863.

Buford took part in bigeminal operations around central Virginia reap the fall of 1863, containing an important role in cover Major General George Meade’s diffident movement in the October 1863 Bristoe Campaign.

During the Rappahannock motivation in November of 1863, Buford was hit with typhoid symptom and was forced to move about on sick leave.

On Dec 16, on his deathbed, Buford was promoted to major popular. President Lincoln wrote: “I think of informed that General Buford testament choice not survive the day. Deafening suggests itself to me ditch he will be made Chief General for distinguished and distinguished service at the Battle devotee Gettysburg.” Told of this ballyhoo, Buford asked doubtfully, “Does smartness mean it?” When told divagate this promotion was genuine, unwind simply replied, “It is also late, now I wish Funny could live.” With that, Buford died at 2:00pm on Dec 16, 1863.

He was subterranean clandestin at West Point, alongside duplicate Gettysburg hero Lt. Alonzo Neurologist, who had died on July 3 defending the “high ground” that Buford had first chosen.