Affair at Glenmore Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Affair at Glenmore Farm |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States of America |
 Confederate States of America |
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| John W. Geary | |||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| 6th New York Cavalry | 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 2 Brigades | 1 company | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| unknown | 24 (1 dead, 2 wounded, 21 captured) | ||||||
The Affair at Glenmore Farm was a small fight during the American Civil War. It happened on October 16, 1862, in Loudoun County, Virginia. This battle was a cavalry skirmish, meaning a small, short fight between small groups of soldiers.
Confederate forces, led by First Lieutenant Frank Myers, fought against Union forces. The Union side was led by General John Geary. The Union army won this skirmish.
Contents
Why Did the Fight Happen?
Confederate Artillery Moves Through Loudoun County
In September 1862, part of the Confederate army's artillery moved into Loudoun County, Virginia. Artillery means large guns, like cannons. This group was led by Colonel R. L. Walker. They were escorted by Colonel Elijah V. White and his cavalry battalion. A battalion is a military unit, usually made of several companies.
Their goal was to help Robert E. Lee's plan to capture Harpers Ferry. This was important to protect the side of Lee's army during his Maryland Campaign. Colonel White was from Loudoun County. He continued to lead small, independent attacks in the area.
The Bombardment of Leesburg
Around the time of the Battle of Antietam, another important battle, Union forces moved to take back Leesburg. This Union cavalry group was led by Lt. Col. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick.
When Kilpatrick arrived, Leesburg was held by a small group of Confederates. This group included some cavalry and about forty infantrymen. Infantrymen are soldiers who fight on foot. Many of these Confederate soldiers were sick or separated from their main army.
The Confederate commander, Captain Gibson, wanted to retreat because they were greatly outnumbered. But Colonel White wanted to fight for his hometown. A small fight started near the courthouse.
Union Artillery Fires on Leesburg
Because the Confederates fought back, Kilpatrick ordered his artillery to fire on the town. This forced the Confederates to retreat. There are different stories about how much damage was done to Leesburg. Some Confederates said buildings were badly damaged. Kilpatrick said he only fired a few shots over the town.
After the cannons stopped, Union cavalry entered Leesburg. They met the Confederates again. Colonel White was badly wounded during this fight. The Confederates then retreated, and Kilpatrick took control of Leesburg.
The Skirmish at Glenmore Farm
Confederates Seek Supplies
On October 16, 1862, First Lieutenant Frank Myers was in charge of White's Battalion. Colonel White was still recovering from his wounds. Myers was ordered to find cattle in the Lovettsville area for the Confederate army.
Myers tried to get the cattle, but he found Union soldiers there. These were Maryland infantry and cavalry led by General J.R. Kenly.
A small group of Confederate scouts was sent to bother General Kenly's forces. They succeeded in pushing the Union soldiers back to Harpers Ferry. Thinking the area was now safe, a new Confederate officer, Captain Treyhorn, led a scouting party. They stopped for the night in Lovettsville.
Union Forces Respond
However, the Union army noticed the Confederates. General John Geary was sent from Harpers Ferry to fight them. He had two brigades of infantry and 300 cavalrymen from the 6th New York Cavalry. A brigade is a large military unit.
On the morning of October 20, Union soldiers captured Treyhorn's lookouts. Lookouts are soldiers who watch for the enemy. This made the Confederates fall back.
General Geary then divided his forces. One part, led by Colonel Thomas Devin, went towards Wheatland. The other part, led by Geary himself, went north on a different road.
The Battle at Glenmore Farm
The two Union groups met at a village called Morrisonville, on the Glenmore Farm. They trapped the retreating Confederates.
Colonel Devin's cavalry charged the Confederates. At the same time, General Geary's forces attacked their side, or flank. Captain Treyhorn tried to fight back. He placed sharpshooters (soldiers trained to shoot very accurately) on nearby haystacks. They held off the Union infantry for a short time.
But the Confederates were soon forced to retreat quickly. This retreat turned into a rout, meaning a complete and messy defeat. The Union cavalry chased them until their horses were too tired to continue.
What Happened After?
After the fight, the 35th Battalion lost 1 soldier killed, 2 wounded, and 21 captured. Captain Treyhorn had to leave the company. This was the first big loss for White's Battalion.
Even so, the company had grown much larger. On October 28, it was officially organized as the 35th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry.
