A cavalry engagement during the Gettysburg Campaign in which Union forces pressured J.E.B. Stuart's screen but failed to dislodge him from the Blue Ridge gaps.
Key Facts
- Dates
- June 17–19, 1863
- Location
- Loudoun County, Virginia
- 1st Rhode Island casualties
- approximately 250
- Union advance on June 19
- Stuart driven one mile beyond town
- Campaign context
- Part of the Gettysburg Campaign
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
As Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia moved north toward Pennsylvania in June 1863, Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry was tasked with screening the army's movement and holding the Blue Ridge Mountain gaps, while Union Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton's cavalry sought to penetrate that screen and determine Confederate intentions.
Fighting began June 17 when Col. Alfred N. Duffié's 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment, operating in isolation near Middleburg, Virginia, was attacked by Confederate brigades under Thomas T. Munford and Beverly Robertson and routed with about 250 casualties. On June 19, Union Brig. Gen. J. Irvin Gregg's brigade advanced, pushing Stuart's troopers one mile beyond the town amid dismounted and mounted skirmishing as both sides received reinforcements.
Stuart was gradually pressured out of Middleburg but successfully fell back to a second ridge, maintaining his screen over the Blue Ridge gap approaches. The Union cavalry failed to penetrate the Confederate screen decisively, leaving Lee's northward movement still largely concealed from Union commanders.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Alfred Pleasonton, Alfred N. Duffié, J. Irvin Gregg.
Side B
1 belligerent
J.E.B. Stuart, Thomas T. Munford, Beverly Robertson.