The quote is from Brigadier General John Buford as he directed his delaying action before Gettysburg. With his bold and brilliant action, he shaped the course of that pivotal three day battle. This video describes the events of that day very well. One minor correction is that Buford’s cavalrymen had few if any Spencer carbines at Gettysburg. The most common carbine among his regiments was the Sharps breechloading carbine firing paper cartridges.
TTG
For those interested, just released:
“If We Are Striking for Pennsylvania”: The Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac March to Gettysburg – Volume 2: June 22–30, 1863 by Scott L. Mingus, Sr. and Eric J. Wittenberg (Savas Beatie, 2023).
scott s.,
I’ll be checking our local library for that. They do an excellent job of stocking up on Revolutionary and Civil War history.
I’d almost forgotten, this weekend marks the high water mark of the Confederacy. Buford comes out a hero, Longstreet a wise man, and I am sorry to admit, Lee comes out a fool.
A good eye for terrain had Buford.
I’m wondering about the early morning artillery on that first day. Against Heth, Buford apparently had only 2nd Lt Calef’s horse artillery battery of six 3-inch rifles against Major Pegram’s twenty(?) odd guns including 10- and 12-pounders. Must have been damn frightening to think about. But those 3-inch rifled barrels could match range with and in some cases outrange the bigger guns; and I’m surmising Calef had more time to time to prepare and site in those pieces.
Another book for those interested: ‘Meade at Gettysburg: A Study in Command’. Kent Brown. the author, posits that Meade was later unfairly judged by Lincoln. I agree.
TTG – here is another aspect of the conflict not often dwelled on in detail. The book referenced is quite thorough. https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2023/07/a-unique-museum-experience