Rear Guard

[redfish]

Would anyone please answer a few questions concerning the rear guard? 1)What were the functions of the r.g.? 2)How many units comprised an r.g.? 3) Are there any interesting stories regarding the heroic action of an r.g.?

My Best To All
Mike

[9thvacav]

Mike,

Go here to read Mahan's Outpost
http://home.att.net/~MrsMajor/Mahons.htm

Tells you about guards and how to post them.

Stuart's cavalry did a masterful rear guard on the retreat from Gettysburg.

Regards,
9thvacav

[redfish]

Linneus,

Thank you sir.

Regards,
Mike.

[mobile_96]

Hello Mr.Ahearn,
Seeing your name posted here immediately engaged my brain search, and your user name brought the facts home rather quickly.
Not sure you'd remember me, but we had a email exchange in Aug, 2000. It concerned the 4 companies that Stuart put on 'special duty' just before his ride around the Union Army late June, 1863. I had found a small typo in your 9th Vir. Cav. regimental history during a investigation of my family members belonging to the 9th, Co E., which said Co. was supposed to be included in the group on special duty. Your reply was that some might have been transfered, for the time of march, to other companies if they had sound horses, while the rest performed whatever orders they had. You also suggested reading "A Captain of Cavalry in Lee's Army" by George Beale, as it might refer to the transfers. I didn't find that book but did find "A Lieutenant of Cavalry in Lee's Army" by Beale, (same book you meant?), one of the Army of Northern Virginia Series by Butternut. This book does cover that period but does not address the 4 returning companies. You also mentioned that you would continue looking thru your sources.
Was wondering if you had found anything or could point toward other books that might help resolve my questions.
On another note, what is your opinion of Starr's set of books on the Union Cav. Is there anything better, and/or more recent?
And by the way, welcome to the group. I'm sure your expertise will be most appreciated and enjoyed by the group.
Chuck in Il.
With Family in the 9th Vir. Cav.

[blue_zouave]

Capt. Ahearn, welcome! We've met on the field - actually, in camp. You know me as Sister Victoria.

Zou of the many faces

[9thvacav]

Greetings Mr. Tinder and Zou. Its always amazing to me how the internet is such good place to bump into lost comrades! Do you suppose its because of the subject matter ;-)

Mr. Tinder - I never did find out anything more about who exactly went on that ride and who stayed home. I may have mentioned to you that at Gettysburg the 9th Virginia had a total of 88 men and officers for the whole regiment! Most of the men who stayed back in Virginia were without horses for the ride and I believe this reason was mentioned in the regimental history by Beale linked to my site. Sorry about the misprint on the other book, "A Lieutenant of Cavalry in Lee's Army". I do remember your enquiry and if I hadn't gotten a new computer I might still have that email somewhere! I guess I have procrastinated on that area of the history of the 9th since we corresponded. Do you have anything to add to the story that you have uncovered?

I have not read Starr on Union cavalry so I can't give an opinion on it. How were the books? I sure enjoyed Eric Wittenberg's recent work, "Glory Enough For All". Lots of documented history rolled into a good read which gives the reader a great sense of the different cavalry tactics used against other cavalry during the Trevilian Station action.

Zou - How have you been? Looks like we all have the winter to look forward to before getting together again at an event! Of course you will be colder than I will, living in the interior of the country like you do Last event I attended was end of September at the tactical. Were you there?

I joined this forum a few years back (I think) but had to rejoin recently. I used to read it a bit but there was no one to talk cavalry with, I decided to try it again since my work has cut down a bit with fall/winter!

Thanks for the fine welcome,
Linneus Ahearn
9thvacav

[mobile_96]

Mr. Ahearn,
No, I've added nothing but your comments on the totals that arrived at Gettysburg is most interesting. I did understand the main reason for the seperation was lack of horses.
Would appear that there is very little chance of my family, in the 9th at least, of having made the ride around Meade and then fighting at Getts. Do understand the unit didn't rejoin the Reg. until the fall, so possibly they all stayed home until the fall harvest was done, and any horses they found were freed up.
Guess I'll have to move Eric's book further up the reading pile. I received a autographed copy when I made a contribution to the preservation efforts for Trevilian Station. Also managed to dig up enough to contribute to pay for a acre of the field. Price was very cheap considering what it takes per acre for most battle fields. And its not often I can do something like this, so was a good feeling!!!
Really need to read the book as I had 1 family member in the 6th Vir, Co.I, which was at Trevilian Station.
I have read Eric's "Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions", which I got autographed also when he attended a local RT seminar in March. Enjoyed that one, so sounds like I should enjoy "Glory Enough for All" also. Also enjoyed Eric's presentation. Even though he was on the starting end of a cold, he still had a 'powerful presence and the discussion afterwards was very interesting.
Chuck in Il.