Frustrated by the lack of intelligence about Lee’s movements, on June 16, 1863, Hooker ordered Pleasonton, “to give him information of where the enemy is, his force, and his movements.” On June 17, Pleasonton ordered Major General David Gregg’s division to seize and occupy Aldie, where the two roads converged, setting the stage for a cavalry engagement that afternoon.¹

THE CAVALRY FIGHT AT ALDIE NEW YORK TIMES JUNE 20 1863

The advance of Gen. GREGG’S cavalry command reached this place at about 2 o’clock this afternoon, where two brigades of the enemy, commanded by Gen. STUART in person, were found in possession. After three hours’ hard fighting they were forced to retire. The fight, while it lasted, was one of the sharpest that has occurred during the war, and as a consequence the loss of officers and men on both sides is very heavy.

The enemy’s pickeis were first encountered a little east of the village by Companies H and M, of the Second New-York (Harris Light) cavalry, under the command of Lieut. DAN. WHITTAKER, and were by them driven through the town back to a ridge of hills half a mile to the west, extending across from the Middleburgh and Snicker’s Gap Road, where the rebel force was in position ready for action. The advance brigade, under Gen. KILPATRICK, immediately moved through to the westerly edge of the town. The First Maine, Col. DOUTY, was sent off to a point half a mile to the left, and the Fourth New-York, Col. CESNOLA, to the right, to support a section of ANDREWS’ battery placed on a rise of ground north of the Snicker’s Gap road. The enemy at this time occupied the hill, as before stated, where they had four guns in position; a line of their skirmishers occupied a fence on the eastern slope, and a long ditch, just in front off which were half a dozen stacks of hay – thus commanding both Middleburgh and Snicker’s Gap roads. A stronger position could not well have been selected.

When the exact position of the enemy had been ascertained by drawing; their fire, Gen. KILPATRICK rode up to the Second New-York (Harris’ Light.) and said then was the time for them to wipe out the reflection cast upon them for their alleged misconduct in the fight of last week, at Brandy Station. He ordered them to charge into the valley and secure the hay-stacks – the ditch or ravine at the rear of this position had not then been discovered. Companies H and M, accompanied by Lieuts. WHITTAKER, RAYMOND, MARTINSON, HOMAN and STUART, moved off down the Middleburgh road, the fence to the right was quickly thrown down, and with a dash, this forlorn hope rushed up to the hay-stacks. For the first time their fire was opened from the ditch a little to the rear of the hay-stacks. This was filled with rebel cavalry – many of them armed with rifles. Capt. GRINTAR, with Lieuts. MATTISON and SHAEER, and Company K, dashed up immediately to the support of these companies, F, I, D and G, went to the right up the Snicker’s Gap road a piece, turned to the left, crossed the field, and reached the scene of conflict in time to take an active part. The contest for twenty minutes at this point was about as spirited a scene as is often witnessed on a battle-field. The Sixth Ohio, Maj. STEADMAN, was sent up the road to the left to support the Harris’ Light, when the whole command, with the Major at its head, dashed into the fight just in time to decide the unequal contest. The rebels were forced to abandon their position, and all who were not killed or captured fled precipitately up the hill. They made a short stand behind the fence, when a dash from a battalion of the Fourth New-York, called in from its position behind the battery, together with the other regiments already named, drove them pell mell over the hill. The First Maine, at about this time, was called in from the left, and with the First Massachusetts, stationed on the Snicker’s Gap road, to a position held by the Second battalion of the Fourth New-York. The rebels, at this time, charged down the same road and drove before them a squadron, when Gen. KILPATRICK ordered the First Maine, Col. DOUTY, First Massachusetts, Lient. Col. CURTIS, and a battalion of the Fourth New-York, under Col. CESNOLA, to charge up the road. There was a little hesitancy at first, when Gen. KILPATRICK, accompanied by Col. DOUTY of the First Maine, and Capt. COSTAR of Gen. PLEABANTON’s Staff, went to the front and called upon the troops to follow. There was no hesitancy then. The Maine boys gave three cheers for Gen. KILPATRICK, and the whole column made a dash up the road in the face of a terrible fire from carbines, rifles and cannon, sweeping everything before them. This virtually ended the fight. The rebels, after a little more skirmishing, fell back, and our forces to-night occupy their position.

Col. CESNOLA was under arrest at the commencement of the action, but set such a gallant example to his men, by leading the first charge without his sword, that upon returning to the road, Gen. KILPATRICK released him from arrest, and placed upon him his own sword. He immediately after participated in the charge with the First Maine, First Massachusetts and Fourth New-York, and has not been seen since. A sergeant of the regiment asserts that he saw the Colonel fall, and is sure that he was killed, and some of the rebel prisoners confirm this report. But the report of his death is not generally believed. In this charge Gen. KILPATRICK had a horse shot under him, and Col. DOUTY, of the First Maine, was killed. When returning from the charge, the body was found by Capt. VAUGHN, who had it properly cared for. Two shots struck him – probably at about the same time. The First Massachusetts captured the battle-flag of the Fourth Virginia cavalry.

More than 100 prisoners were captured – members, principally, of the First, Third and Fifth Virginia cavalry. They say they were under the command of Gen. STUART. Among the prisoners is on Colonel, three Majors and a lot of line officers. The Major and sixty men, who were stationed behind the hay-stacks, were nearly all captured. The Major considered his position impregnable, not believing that any cavalry would dare make a charge upon the place, swept as the whole field was by three lines of guns.

The meeting og Gen. GREGG’s command was entirely unexpected by the rebels. STUART had arrived thus far on a forced march into Maryland – having marched 25 miles this morning, and expecting to be on the road again in the evening.Two regiments had entered the twon, and had pressed into their service all the blacksmith tools to be found; and when our advance guard approached they were busily engaged shoeing horses. To-day, the command of Col. DUFFIE passed through Thoroughfare Gap after a brief fight, and to-night occupies Middleburgh, five miles from Aldie, and in the read of STUART’S army. STUART will have a fight tomorrow at a disadvantage, or, what is more probable, sneak off to-night. Capt. ALLEN, of the Fourth New-York cavalry, came through the rebel lines with this news.

During the engagement to-day, Gen. GREGG managed affairs in a manner reflecting the highest credit upon his profession. He was fortunate not only in having an efficient staff but able commanders under him to execute all orders received.

E.A. PAUL Second New-York Cavalry (Harris Light.)

THE WOUNDED

Washington, Friday, June 19.

One hundred and six of the wounded from the fight at Aldie, Va., arrived at Fairfax Station last night.

Washington, Friday, June 19-P.M

The wounded in the cavalry fight at Aldie were brought here today and placed in hospitals. Many of them severely injured.

THE CAVALRY FIGHT AT ALDIE NEW YORK TIMES JUNE 23 1863

THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.; ANOTHER GREAT CAVALRY BATTLE. A Brilliant Victory Won by Gen. Pleasanton Over Gen. Stuart. The Enemy Driven Eight Miles, from Middleburgh to Asby’s Gap. Desperate Hand-to-Hand Fighting. Artillery and Infantry Also Engaged. The Enemy’s Losses Very Heavy and Ours Very Light. OFFICIAL REPORT OF GENERAL PLEASANTON. THE WHEREABOUTS OF LEE. His Army Massed in the Shenandoah Valley.

FULL DETAILS OF THE AFFAIR.

Dispatch From Out Special Correspondent.

Washington, Monday June 22.

Mr. E.A. Paul sends the following to this Bureau:

Upperville, VA, Sunday June 21 – 5 P.M.

This has been truly a glorious day for that portion of the army commanded by Gen. PLEASONTON.

On Saturday but little advance was made, our forces in front bivouacking at night in a piece of woods but a short distance west of Middleburgh. At 8 o’clock this morning active hostilities were resumed, and there has been a running fight up to several miles west of this town. The contest as well as the result, must be particularly gratifying to the Commanding General, for he has met the famous Gen. STUART in pitched combat, half a dozen times, and in all cases defeated him, and caused his forces to fall back precipitately.

STUART, all along the road between Paris and Middleburgh, told the inhabitants that he would certainly drive our forces back to Manassas, and there whip them. Per contra, he has himself been driven back to the Blue Ridge, and from the stone where I am seated penning these lines, I can see the smoke of his guns fired in defense of Ashby’s Gap. So hard pressed was he, and so fearful that his defeat might result in an entire rout, that at common or Hatch’s Run, three miles west of Middleburgh, he sent an express messenger ordering up a brigade of infantry to meet him at Rector’s Cross Roads. The wished-for assistance came, but it availed him little. Our men nerved themselves to the task, and drove everything before them – the enemy, in their haste, throwing away their accoutrements, provisions, clothing, wagons, cannon and camp equipage. Three cannon have been captured, a number of horses, and more than one hundred prisoners, representing nearly every State in the Confederacy.

Moving out of Middleburgh this morning, the troops under Gen. BUFORD took a road to the right, leading to Unionville, while Gen. GREGG moved up the main road direct toward Ashby’s Gap, passing through Rector’s Cross-roads. Col. VINCENT, with the Eighty-third Pennsylvania, Sixteenth Michigan, Forty-fourth New-York and Twentieth Maine infantry, also moved up this road in advance, two companies in advance of each regiment deployed as skirmishers, while other companies acted as supports. FULLER’S regular battery was placed in the first favorable position west of the town and fired several shots before receiving any response. The enemy finally opened fire with two guns, and a brisk cannonading of one of the enemy’s guns was exploded by a shell thrown from a section of FULLER’S battery, commanded by Lieut. KELLY, and another shell broke the limber of another piece. Both guns were captured by the cavalry. The rebels at another point abandoned a brass howitzer and caisson.

They fell back from one position to another, until they reached their present one on the mountain. The strongest resistance was made at Comell’s River, Goose Creek, and just above Upperville bridge, over Goose Creek. The enemy had made every arrangement to destroy the bridge, but Gen. KILPATRICK, whose brigade was in the advance – in fact, it was during the whole day, pursuing the retreating forces – ordering a charge to be made as he reached the bridge, completely frustrated the design. Capt. COONS, of the Harris Light cavalry, led this charge, while the Fourth New-York advanced as dismounted, enfilading the bridge.

Arriving at Upperville, two squadrons of the First Maine were ordered to charge through the town, which they did in the most gallant manner. The rest of the First Maine and the Fourth New-York acted as supports. Just beyond the town considerable force of the enemy was massed. The First Maine, Sixth Ohio, Tenth New-York, Second New-York, and Fourth Pennsylvania charge upon them furiously. The resistance was greater here than at other point. Two of our regiments were in the road, and one on each side. They charge and were repulsed. Several charges were made with the like results, until the two forces became jammed together, and a regular hand-to-hand conflict took place, lasting more than twenty minutes. In the first charge the enemy placed sharpshooters along the stone walls at the side of the road, and out troops suffered from their fire. Gen. KILPATRICK also arranged a similar reception for the enemy, and thus the two forces swayed to and fro under a galling cross-fire. The officers and men on both sides fought like fiends, and in the excitement many of the enemy were killed who might have been taken prisoners. Gen. KILPATRICK nearly lost his own life in attempting to save the life of the Colonel of a North Carolina regiment. Finally, the enemy yielded, and fell back, hotly pursued by Gen. KILPATRICK’S bloody brigade, until the concentrated fire from a battery warned Gen. GREGG that it was time to withdraw his men. The brigade of regulars which had been sent up as support, much to the amusement of all about, wheeled and hurried out of range. The Harris Light and First Maine marched out of range as slowly and deliberately as if going upon parade. No troops in the world ever stood such a terrible fire more unflinchingly.

From Rector’s Cross Roads to Upperville was almost a rout. The enemy turned at bay near Upperville. The Fourth New-York charged, with Gen. KILPATRICK at their head, and, breaking, retired, leaving Gen. KILPATRICK a prisoner. The Fourth, however, promptly rallied, charged again, and the General was rescued. The troops, with the single exception noted, all behaved well, as did most of the officers. Gen. KILPATRICK, commanding the centre, was always in the right place, and inspiring the men under him by his dashing example. He led several charges in person, the most dashing of all being the onset west of Upperville. Col. GREGG, commanding the left, discharged his duties promptly and like a brave man. Gen. GREGG, commanding this division, and Gen. PLEASANTON, were near the front all day, carefully watching every movement. The former had a horse killed under him by a round shot. The conduct of Col. VINCENT, commanding the infantry, is everywhere spoken of in the highest terms. Capt. ARMSTRONG and LIeut. ESTES, of Gen KILPATRICK’S Staff, on two occasions, after delivering an order, led a column against the enemy under a most terrific fire, and excited the admiration of all for their gallant conduct and excellent example.

While the centre and left were engaged with Gen. STUART in person, Gen BUFORD, with varying success, was fighting “Alphabet” Lee on the right. At this hour he has the enemy in front forced back to the mountains.

The Rebels along the line of march are completely chopfallen at the ill success of the favorite Gen. STUART, and they predict that he will yet pay us off.

Strange as it may appear, while out loss is comparatively trifling, that of enemy is very heavy. We already as many dead rebels in our possession as our entire loss in killed. Besides, it is known that they carried off several ambulances loaded with their own dead. Out loss is about ten killed and one hundred wounded. Among the enemy’s killed is Col. WILCOX, of the Ninth Virginia cavalry. The Colonel of a South Carolina regiment is a prisoner, and the Colonel of the Fifty-ninth North Carolina is seriously wound and a prisoner.

E.A. PAUL

Footnotes