5fish
Captain
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2007
- Location
- Central Florida
During the Battle of Gettysburg there was a small but important cavalry engagement at Fairfield, PA. on July 3rd, 1863. It is called the battle of Faifield.
Where the confederate cavalry referred to as Jones bridge which engaged 400 men of the union 6th US cavalry detached from Merritt's command. Their mission was to find an unguarded wagons and destroy them.
Jones Bridge was on orders from Lee to secure the Fairfield Gap and Pike.
The union cavalry arrives as Jones bridge arrives around the same time and the union put up a good fight but are forced to retreat.
The importance of the battle is not that the wagons were saved but Jones was able to secure Fairfield gap and pike for Lee's retreat form Gettysburg!!!
I am nissing a few details but it looks as if Jones Bridge got their orders on July 1st secure the gap. I think that is interesting that Lee wanted to secure this gap on the first day of battle.
It is also interesting the Battle of Gettysburg and the hopes of the confederacy in someway acutely hinged on the outcome of this battle in Fairfield. If Merritt had sent a stronger force instead of a small one, he would have effectively cut Lee's escape off. Forcing Lee to latterly fight every inch of the way back to VA., the war may have been over in 1863 instead of 1865.
If the Union control Fairfield gap the war would have most likely been over by the end of the summer in 1863.
When Lee sent Jones Bridge to Fairfield gap was his hedging bets and planing for possible defeat? Could Lee have that much fore thought?
I need more details of the events surrounding this battle and Lee's intentions for Jones Bridge?
How important was the confederate victory at Fairfield for the Lee?
Need to find some details....
Where the confederate cavalry referred to as Jones bridge which engaged 400 men of the union 6th US cavalry detached from Merritt's command. Their mission was to find an unguarded wagons and destroy them.
Jones Bridge was on orders from Lee to secure the Fairfield Gap and Pike.
The union cavalry arrives as Jones bridge arrives around the same time and the union put up a good fight but are forced to retreat.
The importance of the battle is not that the wagons were saved but Jones was able to secure Fairfield gap and pike for Lee's retreat form Gettysburg!!!
I am nissing a few details but it looks as if Jones Bridge got their orders on July 1st secure the gap. I think that is interesting that Lee wanted to secure this gap on the first day of battle.
It is also interesting the Battle of Gettysburg and the hopes of the confederacy in someway acutely hinged on the outcome of this battle in Fairfield. If Merritt had sent a stronger force instead of a small one, he would have effectively cut Lee's escape off. Forcing Lee to latterly fight every inch of the way back to VA., the war may have been over in 1863 instead of 1865.
If the Union control Fairfield gap the war would have most likely been over by the end of the summer in 1863.
When Lee sent Jones Bridge to Fairfield gap was his hedging bets and planing for possible defeat? Could Lee have that much fore thought?
I need more details of the events surrounding this battle and Lee's intentions for Jones Bridge?
How important was the confederate victory at Fairfield for the Lee?
Need to find some details....