GDG- Buford at Fairfield

[Tom Ryan]

J.D.,

Thanks again for that info.  I was going on memory about Mechanicstown.  I
should have checked beforehand, because I did have a record that Buford
started out from Middletown.  The route he took north was what led me to
believe that Lee's scouts would have had to run into Buford, or at least
find out that he was within hailing distance.

They were coming from Chambersburg heading toward the Frederick area, and
they reported that the Union army was in the area of Middleburg, just
southwest of Taneytown.  So I am wondering how Buford and the Rebel scouts
missed running into each other, or at least finding out that they were in
the same vicinity.  The track from Chambersburg to Middleburg cuts right
across the route Buford was traveling, and the scouts had to cross that
going and returning.

Where can I read the details about the spy Richardson?  Do not know if there
is a connection, but the BMI's Sgt. Cline reported that he learned a
civilian had gone from Frederick to Hagerstown to alert the Rebels that the
Union army had arrived in the Frederick area.

Tom


-----Original Message-----
From: gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com
[mailto:gettysburg-bounces at arthes.com]On Behalf Of J. David Petruzzi
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 12:41 PM
To: GDG
Subject: RE: GDG- Buford at Fairfield


Esteemed GDG Member Contributes:


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.