GDG- Buford at Fairfield

[J. David Petruzzi]

Hey Tom,

Buford wasn't in Mechanicsville on the 29th - only Merritt was detached to
there (from Middletown).  Buford moved through Boonsboro, near Funkstown, to
Smithsburg, then on to Fountaindale.  Buford, with Gamble and Devin, then,
were to the west of Mechanicsville.

As you're probably aware, after the battle Buford corraled the spy
Richardson in Frederick (who had passes from Lee and Longstreet on him) and
hung him on the spot with tent ropes.

The two Mississippi regiments were likely the 2nd and 42nd regiments.  The
skirmish took place near the P. Musselman farm, at the foot of Jack's
Mountain about 2 miles from Fairfield.

J.D.

J. David Petruzzi
My blog: http://petruzzi.wordpress.com
My book: http://www.stuartsride.com



>>Hi J.D.,

Thanks for that info.  I am in the process of trying to determine what Lee
knew about the Union army following the report from the spy Harrison to
Longstreet and Lee on June 28 at Chambersburg that the Union army had
crossed the Potomac and was now in the vicinity of Frederick and South
Mountain.

While Buford was moving north from Mechanicstown (Thurmont) on June 29 with
two of his brigades with orders to find the Rebel army, Lee had sent scouts
south toward Frederick to verify Harrison's information.  It seems to me
that Lee's scouts and Buford's brigades should have run into each other
while they were heading in opposite directions.  But there is no evidence
that actually happened.  If Lee's scouts had made contact with Buford and
immediately sent a courier to inform Lee of this, then Lee would have had an
opportunity to move forces quickly to occupy Gettysburg (knowing that Union
forces were heading in that direction).

At any rate, the first known contact Buford made with the enemy was with the
Mississippi regiments at Fairfield, and if these units had alerted Heth,
Hill and Lee, then there also may have been enough time to beat Buford to
the punch, so to speak, by quickly occupying Gettysburg.

It appears, however, that Lee learned nothing from his scouts or from the
Fairfield contact with Buford; therefore, took no direct action to gain the
upper hand.

If you have any thoughts on this situation or can provide other facts that
relate to this story, it would be appreciated.

By the way, were the two Mississippi regiments identified?

Thanks again,

Tom>>