Battle of Upperville
Upperville, Virginia, USA
What happened
Union cavalry under Alfred Pleasonton, with an infantry brigade under Strong Vincent, fought J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry, including brigades under Wade Hampton and Beverly Robertson. Stuart's cavalry used stone walls, ravines and creeks to slow the Union advance. Their job was to keep Pleasonton from finding Lee's main army in the Shenandoah Valley. After making a stand at a stone bridge over Goose Creek, Stuart pulled back toward Upperville, where the fighting continued.
Why it matters
Stuart kept Pleasonton from learning where Lee's infantry was, so the Union lacked key information about its enemy. Meanwhile Confederate infantry crossed the Potomac into Maryland.
What came next
Stuart pulled back to Ashby's Gap, and then rode east around the Union army as it moved toward Gettysburg.
Did you know?
A Confederate cannon overturned and was captured, the first artillery piece Stuart's cavalry ever lost.
Timeline
- 21 Jun 1863Battle of Upperville.
- 1–3 Jul 1863Battle of Gettysburg.
- 8 Jul 1863Battle of Boonsboro.