Engagement at Ashby's Gap
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The Engagement at Ashby's Gap was a minor cavalry engagement fought at Ashby's Gap, in Loudoun County, Virginia, on June 19, 1863 during the Battle of Middleburg.[1] A Union cavalry brigade on a reconnaissance mission skirmished against 2 Confederate cavalry regiments over the control of Ashby's Gap.
Background[edit]
Brig. Gen. Buford ordered Col. William Gamble's first brigade to gather reconnaissance in preparation for Gen. David McMurtrie Gregg's advancement toward J.E.B. Stuart's forces. The Union forces hoped to gain intelligence on Confederate infantry from Gamble's expedition. Stuart noticed this troop movement and sent the 5th Virginia Cavalry , commanded by Col. Thomas L. Rosser to stop Gamble's forces from reaching Ashby's Gap, which could be used as a tactically important recon location.
Battle[edit]
The 5th Virginia Cavalry found Gamble's brigade at a forested crossroad. Col. Rosser had little difficulty driving back the initial forces he encountered until he reached the brigade's main force. Gamble's main force was dismounted and found cover behind stone fences. Rosser's regiment faced heavy resistance from the well-positioned Union troops, this led Stuart to send in the 7th Virginia Cavalry under Col. Thomas C. Marshal as reinforcements. Gamble's brigade eventually repelled both confederate regiments with the help of their 3 artillery pieces.
Aftermath[edit]
Gamble continued to occupy Ashby's Gap, the Union forces aimed to use the position to launch further advances into the Confederate line.
Preservation Efforts[edit]
Although Ashby's Gap itself has not been preserved. The American battlefield trust has preserved many other sites from the Battle of Middleburg[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ Longacre, Edward. The Cavalry at Gettysburg: A Tactical Study of Mounted Operations during the Civil War's Pivotal Campaign, 9 June – 14 July 1863. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 1993. ISBN 978-0-8032-7941-4.
- ↑ [1] American Battlefield Trust "Saved Land" webpage. Accessed May 29, 2018.
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