It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
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© 1998-2004 Benjamin M. Givens, Jr.
After the retreat from Gettysburg, the Confederate army concentrated behind Rapidan River in Orange County. The Federals advanced to Rappahannock River in August, and in mid- September they pushed strong columns forward to confront Lee along the Rapidan. Early September, Lee dispatched two divisions of Longstreet's Corps to reinforce the Confederate army in Georgia; the Federals followed suite, sending the XI and XII Corps to Tennessee by railroad in late September after the Battle of Chickamauga (September 18-20). Early October, Lee began an offensive sweep around Meade's right flank with his remaining two corps, forcing the Federals to withdraw along the line of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. On October 13, Stuart, with Fitzhugh Lee and Lomax's brigades, skirmished with the rearguard of the Union III Corps near Auburn. Finding himself cut off by retreating Federal columns, Stuart secreted his troopers in a wooded ravine until the unsuspecting Federals moved on.
As the Federal army withdrew towards Manassas Junction, Owens and Smyth's Union brigades (Warren's II Corps) fought a rearguard action against Stuart's cavalry and infantry of Harry Hays's division near Auburn. Stuart's cavalry boldly bluffed Warren's infantry and escaped disaster. The II Corps pushed on to Catlett Station on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad.
On October 14, 1863, A.P. Hill's corps stumbled upon two corps of the retreating Union army at Bristoe Station and attacked without proper reconnaissance. Union soldiers of the II Corps, posted behind the Orange & Alexandria Railroad embankment, mauled two brigades of Henry Heth's division and captured a battery of artillery. Hill reinforced his line but could make little headway against the determined defenders. After this victory, the Federals continued their withdrawal to Centreville unmolested. Lee's Bristoe offensive sputtered to a premature halt. After minor skirmishing near Manassas and Centreville, the Confederates retired slowly to Rappahannock River destroying the Orange & Alexandria Railroad as they went. At Bristoe Station, Hill lost standing in the eyes of Lee, who angrily ordered him to bury his dead and say no more about it.
After defeat at Bristoe Station and an aborted advance on Centreville, Stuart's cavalry shielded the withdrawal of Lee's army from the vicinity of Manassas Junction. Union cavalry under Kilpatrick pursued Stuart's cavalry along the Warrenton Turnpike but were lured into an ambush near Chestnut Hill and routed. The Federal troopers were scattered and chased five miles in an affair that came to be known as the "Buckland Races."
On November 7, the Union army forced passage of the
Rappahannock River at two places. A dusk attack overran the
Confederate bridgehead at Rappahannock Station, capturing more than
1,600 men of Jubal Early's Division. Fighting at Kelly's Ford was less
severe with about 430 casualties, but the Confederates retreated
allowing the Federals across in force. On the verge of going into winter
quarters around Culpeper, Lee's army retired instead into Orange
County south of the Rapidan River. The Army of the Potomac occupied
the vicinity of Brandy Station and Culpeper County.
=====================================================
Auburn
(Catlett's Station, St. Stephen's Church)
October 13, 1863
=====================================================
After the retreat from Gettysburg, the Confederate army concentrated behind Rapidan River in Orange County. The Federals advanced to Rappahannock River in August, and in mid- September they pushed strong columns forward to confront Lee along the Rapidan. Early September, Lee dispatched two divisions of Longstreet's Corps to reinforce the Confederate army in Georgia; the Federals followed suite, sending the XI and XII Corps to Tennessee by railroad in late September after the Battle of Chickamauga (September 18-20). Early October, Lee began an offensive sweep around Meade's right flank with his remaining two corps, forcing the Federals to withdraw along the line of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. On October 13, Stuart, with Fitzhugh Lee and Lomax's brigades, skirmished with the rearguard of the Union III Corps near Auburn. Finding himself cut off by retreating Federal columns, Stuart secreted his troopers in a wooded ravine until the unsuspecting Federals moved on.
Result(s): Inconclusive
Other Names: Catlett's Station, St. Stephen's Church
Location: Fauquier County
Campaign: Bristoe Campaign (October-November 1863)
Date(s): October 13, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. William. H. French [US]; Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart [CS]
Forces Engaged:Brigades
Estimated Casualties: 50 total
CWSAC Reference #: VA039
Source:
============================
Auburn
(Coffee Hill)
October 14, 1863
============================
As the Federal army withdrew towards Manassas Junction, Owens and Smyth's Union brigades (Warren's II Corps) fought a rearguard action against Stuart's cavalry and infantry of Harry Hays's division near Auburn. Stuart's cavalry boldly bluffed Warren's infantry and escaped disaster. The II Corps pushed on to Catlett Station on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad.
Result(s): Inconclusive
Other Names: Coffee Hill
Location: Fauquier County
Campaign: Bristoe Campaign (October–November 1863)
Date(s): October 14, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart [CS]
Forces Engaged: Brigades
Estimated Casualties: 113 total
CWSAC Reference #: VA041
Source:
===========================
Bristoe Station
October 14, 1863
===========================
On October 14, 1863, A.P. Hill's corps stumbled upon two corps of the retreating Union army at Bristoe Station and attacked without proper reconnaissance. Union soldiers of the II Corps, posted behind the Orange & Alexandria Railroad embankment, mauled two brigades of Henry Heth's division and captured a battery of artillery. Hill reinforced his line but could make little headway against the determined defenders. After this victory, the Federals continued their withdrawal to Centreville unmolested. Lee's Bristoe offensive sputtered to a premature halt. After minor skirmishing near Manassas and Centreville, the Confederates retired slowly to Rappahannock River destroying the Orange & Alexandria Railroad as they went. At Bristoe Station, Hill lost standing in the eyes of Lee, who angrily ordered him to bury his dead and say no more about it.
Result(s): Union victory
Other Names: None
Location: Prince William County
Campaign: Bristoe Campaign (October-November 1863)
Date(s): October 14, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 1,980 total
CWSAC Reference #: VA040
Source:
===========================================
Buckland Mills
(Buckland Races, Chestnut Hill)
October 19, 1863
============================================
After defeat at Bristoe Station and an aborted advance on Centreville, Stuart's cavalry shielded the withdrawal of Lee's army from the vicinity of Manassas Junction. Union cavalry under Kilpatrick pursued Stuart's cavalry along the Warrenton Turnpike but were lured into an ambush near Chestnut Hill and routed. The Federal troopers were scattered and chased five miles in an affair that came to be known as the "Buckland Races."
Result(s): Confederate victory
Other Names: Buckland Races, Chestnut Hill
Location: Fauquier County
Campaign: Bristoe Campaign (October–November 1863)
Date(s): October 19, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. J. Kilpatrick [US]; Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 230 total CWSAC Reference #: VA042
Source:
===============================
Rappahannock Station
November 07, 1863
===============================
On November 7, the Union army forced passage of the Rappahannock River at two places. A dusk attack overran the Confederate bridgehead at Rappahannock Station, capturing more than 1,600 men of Jubal Early's Division. Fighting at Kelly's Ford was less severe with about 430 casualties, but the Confederates retreated allowing the Federals across in force. On the verge of going into winter quarters around Culpeper, Lee's army retired instead into Orange County south of the Rapidan River. The Army of the Potomac occupied the vicinity of Brandy Station and Culpeper County.
Result(s): Union victory
Other Names: None
Location: Fauquier County and Culpeper County
Campaign: Bristoe Campaign (October-November 1863)
Date(s): November 7, 1863
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 2,537 total (1,600 Confederate prisoners)
CWSAC Reference #: VA043
Source:
Last Updated 25 April 2002
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
Click on any [Item] below to go to that page
[Return to Glossary Page]
[Return to 43rd Pennsylvania Home Page]
© 1998-2004 Benjamin M. Givens, Jr.