Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1863) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skirmish at Fairfax Court House (June 1863)
Part of the American Civil War
Fairfax Court House, Virginia by Matthew Brady From U.S. National Archives
Date June 27, 1863 Location Fairfax Court House, Virginia Fairfax County, Virginia Result Confederate victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	CSA (Confederacy)
Commanders and leaders
Major Seth Pierre Remington	Major General J.E.B. Stuart Brigadier General Wade Hampton III Major John H. Whitaker   †
Strength
87	2,000
Casualties and losses
4 killed, 14 wounded and captured, 19 captured and 4 seriously wounded and left at a nearby home	5 killed, unknown wounded, 14 initial prisoners rescued

The Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1863) was a small fight during the Gettysburg Campaign of the American Civil War. It happened between cavalry (soldiers on horseback) from the Union Army and the Confederate Army.

Confederate cavalry leader General J.E.B. Stuart wanted to prove himself after some tough fights. As the main Confederate army moved into Maryland, Stuart got permission to take three brigades (groups of soldiers). His goal was to ride around the Union army. He hoped to gather supplies, get information, and damage Union communication lines.

On June 27, at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, one of Stuart’s brigades, led by Brigadier General Wade Hampton III, was surprised. A small group of Union soldiers from the 11th New York Cavalry, led by Major Remington, attacked them. The Union troops first pushed the Confederates back. But the Union force was much smaller. They had to retreat. Even though the Confederates won this small fight, it was very important. It delayed Stuart’s arrival at Gettysburg. This meant General Lee, the Confederate commander, didn't have important information about where the Union army was.

Background to the Battle

Why the Confederates Invaded the North

In May 1863, the Union Army, led by Major General Joseph Hooker, lost a big battle at Chancellorsville. General Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia won. After this, Hooker moved his troops north of the Rappahannock River. Lee's army stayed south of the river.

At the same time, in Mississippi, Union Major General Ulysses S. Grant was attacking Vicksburg. If Vicksburg fell, the Union would control the Mississippi River. This would cut off Confederate areas west of the river. Confederate leaders, like President Jefferson Davis, wanted to help Vicksburg. They thought about sending more soldiers from Virginia.

Lee had a different idea. He suggested invading the North from Virginia. This would take pressure off Vicksburg. It would also save Virginia from more fighting that summer. His army could live off the land in the North. They could also threaten big cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.. This might make the North want to stop the war. Confederate leaders agreed to Lee's plan.

By June 1, 1863, Lee had reorganized his army. He began to prepare to move into the Shenandoah Valley, then into Maryland and Pennsylvania.

The Start of the Gettysburg Campaign

The Confederate Gettysburg Campaign began on June 3, 1863. Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell led his Second Corps northwest. Union General Hooker soon learned of this movement. But he wasn't sure if Lee was moving north or planning an attack. Hooker wanted to attack a part of Lee's army. But President Abraham Lincoln and General Henry Halleck thought it was too risky.

On June 6, Union Brigadier General John Buford told Hooker that Lee's cavalry was at Culpeper. Buford didn't know that more Confederate soldiers were also there.

The Battle of Brandy Station

On June 7, Hooker ordered Major General Alfred Pleasonton to take his cavalry and some infantry. This force of about 11,000 men was to cross the Rappahannock River. Their mission was to "scatter and destroy" the Confederate forces at Culpeper.

At dawn on June 9, Pleasonton's troops crossed the river. They surprised the Confederate cavalry camped near Brandy Station. The Battle of Brandy Station was the biggest cavalry battle of the war. It lasted all day. The Confederates held their ground. Pleasonton's forces then pulled back. Stuart called it a victory. But he was criticized for being surprised. For the first time, Union cavalry fought the Confederates on equal terms.

Army Movements and Cavalry Fights

After Brandy Station, Lee prepared his whole army for the invasion. He ordered Ewell's corps to move to the Shenandoah Valley. Hooker moved his army west. His troops spread out over 40 miles.

Confederate cavalry brigades, led by William E. Jones and Wade Hampton III, guarded the movement of A. P. Hill's Corps. Confederate and Union cavalry fought daily. They tried to find out where the other army was. The Confederates kept the Union cavalry east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But Union generals still thought only Confederate cavalry was there.

The Battle of Upperville

On June 21, Pleasonton attacked Stuart's cavalry near Upperville, Virginia. At the Battle of Upperville, Pleasonton's force pushed Stuart's brigades out of the town. They drove them into Ashby's Gap. Pleasonton was happy with this result. He didn't try to push them further. Stuart had stopped Pleasonton from finding the Confederate infantry.

However, Union scouts saw Confederate infantry camps in the Shenandoah Valley. This small Union victory gave them useful information about Lee's army. It also delayed two of Lee's infantry divisions. Stuart was again criticized for being surprised and defeated.

Lee soon learned that Pleasonton had pulled back. He then knew he could move his army into Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Stuart's Famous Ride Begins

Stuart wanted to play an important role in the campaign. He also wanted to regain his good name after the recent battles. On June 22, Lee gave Stuart orders for his movement to Pennsylvania. Lee said Stuart could move with three brigades into Maryland. He was to "take position on General Ewell's right." Lee also told Stuart to "pass around their Army without hindrance, doing them all the damage you can."

Major John S. Mosby, a scout for Stuart, suggested a plan. Stuart could cut through the Union forces. He could cross the Potomac River and disrupt Union communications. This might even make the Union army defend Washington. Stuart was eager to restore his reputation. On June 24, Stuart decided to follow Mosby's advice. He would try to ride through and around the Union Army. He planned to meet Ewell at York, Pennsylvania.

Stuart took his three most experienced brigades. He left two brigades to guard the mountain passes. On June 25, Stuart started his ride. He soon ran into Union Major General Winfield Scott Hancock's II Corps. Stuart fired some artillery shells, then pulled back. He waited for Mosby for ten hours on June 26. This delay was important. He then marched 20 miles and rested his horses. He continued toward Fairfax Station early on June 27.

The Battle at Fairfax Court House

Union Scouts Arrive

On June 26, 1863, the U.S. War Department ordered Colonel James B. Swain to send troops to scout near Centreville, Virginia. They were also to guard any army supplies at Fairfax Court House. Colonel Swain sent Companies B and C of the 11th New York Volunteer Cavalry. This group had 82 soldiers and four officers, led by Major Seth Pierre Remington.

The soldiers left that afternoon. By 10:00 p.m., they were camped at Fairfax Court House. The Union Army had left the day before. Campfires were still burning. The soldiers saw local people looking for leftover supplies.

Fighting Begins in the Morning

Early on June 27, the New York troops left for Centreville. They watered their horses at a stream outside Fairfax Court House. This stream would soon be a scene of action. When they reached Centreville around 10:00 a.m., they found some Union Army hospital supplies. They left them with a local storekeeper. The soldiers thought they had seen mounted men in the woods.

On their way back, cavalrymen came under fire from the woods. This was about three miles from Fairfax Court House. Major Remington sent two small groups into the woods to investigate. One soldier's horse ran off toward Fairfax Court House. Lieutenant Dagwell chased the horse. He met the advanced guard of four men just outside their old camp. They found citizens loading wagons with valuable items left by the Union Army. As Lt. Dagwell found the horse entering the courthouse yard, he saw about 65 Confederate troops there. He thought they were local partisans. Dagwell turned his horse and fled as the Confederates shot at him.

When Lt. Dagwell returned to the stream, the rest of the New York troops arrived. They found Confederates lined up in the woods across the stream. Dagwell's company, under fire but unharmed, charged the Confederates. They sent them retreating down the road toward Fairfax Station. Dagwell and a few others chased the fleeing Confederates. They killed one and captured a few others.

Chasing Toward Fairfax Station

About half a mile east of Fairfax Station, Stuart's officers were eating breakfast. They were disturbed by some of the 11th New York cavalrymen riding by. One officer, Cooke, barely escaped.

Dagwell continued his chase. He reached the top of a hill near Fairfax Station. He saw what he thought were "at least" 2,000 Confederate troops and artillery. The New Yorkers had run into Stuart's main force. Dagwell then realized the small group they had chased from Fairfax Court House was not just a few partisans. It was the advance guard of a large Confederate force.

Dagwell sent a soldier back to tell Major Remington about the situation. Dagwell and his eight men had to rest their horses. But Dagwell could see the Confederates getting ready to move.

Action Near Fairfax Station

Before the Confederates could reach Dagwell, Major Remington arrived with the rest of his men. Remington ordered his men to form a line at the top of the hill. Meanwhile, Stuart heard about the fight. He ordered Brigadier General Wade Hampton III to bring up his lead regiment quickly. The Confederate advance unit, the 1st North Carolina Cavalry, came over the hill. They moved within 30 yards of the Union line. They did not move closer, even with orders. When the Union troops did not surrender, both sides began to shoot.

Major Remington then ordered his small group to charge the Confederate force. Dagwell had just told him it was a whole brigade of cavalry, at least 2,000 men. The Confederates broke into the woods. Dagwell followed, but soon found he was alone. When he returned to where the New Yorkers had formed their line, he found only five Union men. He also saw several dead and wounded Confederates. Major John H. Whitaker, commander of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry, was killed. Sergeant Charles A. Hartwell said the New Yorkers killed 5 Confederates and took 14 prisoners.

Sergeant Hartwell soon found himself with about a dozen men, including Major Remington. They were cut off from the other Union troops. Remington and a few others had retreated from the nearby hill. Hampton thought they were trying to attack his force from behind. He sent a squadron to surround them. Sergeant Morris shot a Confederate officer who attacked Major Remington.

After fierce fighting with pistols and sabers, Remington saw the situation was hopeless. He ordered his men to retreat. Remington, Captain Campbell, and 9 men escaped along the railroad. They reached Alexandria, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C. defenses.

Historians say at least three Union soldiers were killed. One was mortally wounded. Fourteen were wounded and captured. Nineteen were captured. Four seriously wounded men were left at a nearby home. The Confederates took the walking wounded and able-bodied as prisoners.

Lieutenant Dagwell and His Men Captured

Meanwhile, Lt. Dagwell realized his group was cut off. He had to retreat. After leaving the fight area, Dagwell and his small group headed for Fairfax Court House. They picked up another Union cavalryman and a few prisoners they had been guarding. After a brief fight, the Union troops scattered five or six Confederates. With about eight men and five prisoners, Dagwell headed toward Washington.

At Annandale, Dagwell was wounded while trying to escape capture. He and up to eighteen men were captured by men from Fitzhugh Lee's brigade. This brigade had been sent to capture supplies. Lee's brigade also captured a supply wagon train and more prisoners at Annandale.

Delay at Fairfax Court House

Fairfax Court House had been Hooker's last headquarters. Stuart's men found many supplies still there. This allowed Stuart's men to take valuable items from the Union Army depot. This included two warehouses and a supply wagon. After his men had eaten and rested for an hour or two, Stuart moved them toward Dranesville, Virginia.

Stuart sent a letter to General Lee about the fight at Fairfax Court House. He also told Lee about the direction of Hooker's army. A copy of the letter reached the Confederate War Department. But the message never reached General Lee. The fight at Fairfax Court House delayed Stuart by almost half a day. Lt. Dagwell later said the fight at Fairfax was another lesson for the Confederates. It showed that Union troops were ready to fight them. He and Sergeant Morris noted how the action delayed Stuart. This contributed to his late arrival at Gettysburg.

What Happened Next

Stuart Crosses the Potomac River

After resting at Fairfax Court House, Stuart moved to Dranesville, Virginia. Fitzhugh Lee's brigade rejoined him there. Stuart decided to cross the Potomac River that night. Because the water was high, the crossing wasn't finished until 3:00 a.m. on June 28.

From Union prisoners, Stuart learned that Hooker's army was heading north toward Frederick, Maryland. Stuart realized he needed to join Ewell as soon as possible. But Stuart still delayed his ride. He stopped to capture a Union Army wagon train near Rockville, Maryland. He also took more prisoners. He then rode another 10 miles to Brookeville, Maryland, that day.

Union Prisoners Released

Stuart realized the prisoners would slow down his men. At Brookeville, on June 28, Stuart questioned one of the prisoners from the 11th New York Cavalry. He asked how many men had made the charge. He was told it was only a single squadron, not part of a larger force. Stuart reportedly said: "And you charged my command with eighty-two men? Give me five hundred such men and I will charge through the Army of the Potomac with them."

Stuart also questioned Lt. Dagwell. He wanted to know if Captain Campbell, who had threatened to execute Confederate prisoners, was among them. Stuart's staff spent time releasing the prisoners.

Stuart's Journey to Gettysburg

On the evening of June 29, Stuart's advance party chased Union cavalry near Westminster, Maryland. On June 30, Stuart's column saw a large group of Union cavalry. Stuart's troops, slowed by the wagon train and new prisoners, clashed with Union cavalry. This was at the Battle of Hanover near Hanover, Pennsylvania.

After the fight, Stuart took a detour. He waited until nightfall to continue his ride. This was to protect his left side, including the wagons.

The next morning, Fitzhugh Lee's brigade found that Major General Jubal Early had marched west toward Gettysburg. An officer found General Lee and Lieutenant General Ewell near Gettysburg. But Stuart did not follow Early's route. He moved away from Gettysburg toward Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He hoped to find supplies and part of the Confederate Army. Instead, he found Carlisle held by Union militia. As Stuart began to attack, he received orders from General Lee. Lee told him to go to Gettysburg. On July 2, Stuart's force rode to Gettysburg, arriving in the afternoon.

How the Battle at Fairfax Affected Stuart's Ride

Lieutenant Dagwell later wrote that the fight at Fairfax kept Stuart from crossing the Potomac on June 27. This delay contributed to his late arrival at the Battle of Gettysburg. Historian Eric Wittenberg said: "The brave, desperate and hopeless charge of the 11th New York Cavalry at Fairfax Court House hindered Stuart for half a day."

Because the Confederates lost at Gettysburg, they looked for reasons why. Stuart received much criticism for his delay. This came from civilians and other Confederate commanders. However, some modern historians believe the Confederates would have lost Gettysburg anyway. They say it didn't matter if Stuart arrived earlier or not.

A Confederate officer later said: "I think that without exception the most gallant charge, and the most desperate resistance that we ever met from the Federal cavalry, was at Fairfax, June 1863."

Images for kids

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  Fairfax Court House, Virginia