Fight at Aldie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fight at Aldie |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States of America |
 Confederate States of America |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Franklin T. Huntoon | John S. Mosby | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| 1st Vermont Cavalry | Mosby's Rangers | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 50 | 17-28 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 19 (captured) | 1 (wounded) | ||||||
The Fight at Aldie was a small battle during the American Civil War. It happened on March 2, 1863, in Aldie, Virginia. This fight was between Confederate soldiers led by Major John S. Mosby and Union soldiers. The Union forces were led by Major Joseph Gilmore and Captain Franklin T. Huntoon.
This battle was part of Mosby's special operations in Northern Virginia. The Confederates won this fight. It was important because it was the first time Mosby's Rangers fought in their main area, the central Loudoun Valley. In this fight, Mosby and his men showed how they would often fight. They attacked a larger force and caused more damage than they received.
Contents
What Led to the Fight at Aldie?
Mosby's Early Operations
In January 1863, Major General J.E.B. Stuart sent his scout, John S. Mosby, on a mission. Mosby and 15 of his cavalrymen went to the lower Loudoun Valley. Their job was to fight against Union forces in Northern Virginia.
On January 28, this small group met near Aldie. They started their first raid against Union soldiers in Chantilly. Over the next month, Mosby and his men raided Fairfax County two more times. Each time, they defeated larger Union forces.
Union Response and Mistake
Because of Mosby's raids, Colonel Percy Wyndham sent 200 Union cavalrymen. These soldiers were from the 18th Pennsylvania unit, led by Major Joseph Gilmore. They left Fairfax on March 2 to find and capture Mosby and his men.
The Union force went to Middleburg. They searched homes and arrested people, trying to find Mosby's men. When this did not work, Gilmore threatened to burn the town. The people of Middleburg begged him to stop, saying they did not know where Mosby's men were. Gilmore believed them and left the town, heading east toward Aldie.
In Aldie, the 18th Pennsylvania met 50 soldiers from the 1st Vermont unit. The 1st Vermont was also on patrol. Major Gilmore mistakenly thought the 1st Vermont soldiers were Confederates and ordered his men to retreat. The 1st Vermont caught up, and the mistake was cleared up. The 18th Pennsylvania told the 1st Vermont that they could not find Mosby. Then, the 18th Pennsylvania left for Fairfax. The 1st Vermont returned to Aldie to water their horses.
The Battle Begins
Mosby's Pursuit
Mosby quickly learned about the Union raid on Middleburg. As soon as the Union soldiers left, he gathered his men. He had between 17 and 28 soldiers. They quickly set out toward Aldie to chase the Union forces.
Surprise Attack in Aldie
As Mosby's men entered Aldie from the west, they saw the 1st Vermont soldiers. The Union soldiers had gotten off their horses. Mosby immediately ordered a charge. With a loud yell, the Confederates rushed toward the Union soldiers. They took the Union men by surprise, causing most of them to run away in a panic.
During the charge, Mosby's horse got out of control. He had to jump off, and his horse ran away with the Union soldiers. In the fight, Captain John W. Woodward of the 1st Vermont had his horse shot. The horse fell on him, pinning him to the ground. One of Mosby's men ran to shoot him. But Woodward pulled out a hidden pistol and shot his attacker.
Some of Mosby's men thought Woodward had surrendered before he fired. They rushed in to harm him. But Mosby saw what happened and quickly stepped in. He took Captain Woodward as a prisoner.
What Happened After the Fight?
Mosby's Success
Even though Mosby lost his horse, he and his men fought very well. They captured 19 Union soldiers, including two captains. They also captured 23 horses. Mosby's men only had one soldier wounded.
Planning the Next Move
After this fight, Mosby planned another raid. He wanted to capture the Union cavalry commander, Sir Percy Wyndham, in Fairfax. This next action, on March 9, would become Mosby's most famous event of the war. It was known as the Stoughton Raid.
Winning Local Support
Mosby and his men defended Middleburg and embarrassed the Union forces. Because of this, the people of the Loudoun Valley admired them. Before this, the townspeople were unsure about Mosby's partisan fighters. The support of the people in the Loudoun Valley became a huge advantage for Mosby throughout the war.
