The Many Tales Of The Civil War Heroes
Recently promoted to command the 1st Division, General John Buford knew that Union and Confederate forces were about to clash near Gettysburg. He also recognized that the heights south of town would be pivotal to any battle fought in the area. Realizing he was outnumbered, Buford understood that any combat involving his unit would be a delaying action. He had his cavalry dismount and occupy low ridges north and northwest of town. His goal was to buy time for the Union army to come up and fortify the heights and to prevent Confederate forces from doing the same.
Buford skillfully maneuvered his troops and took full advantage of the superior rate of fire from their breech loading carbines. This gave Union infantry under Maj. Gen. John Reynolds, the time they needed to come up and gain a foothold on the tactically superior Cemetery Ridge.
The importance of Buford’s leadership and tactical decision making on the first day of the battle can’t be overstated. His keen awareness of the tactical situation, readily knowing the strategic importance of the high ground south of town, combined with the tenacity of his heroic cavalrymen, were paramount in their contribution to this iconic Union victory.What’s 1 more click? Your boss isn’t watching… Gettysburg: The Great Reunion of 1913