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Lesser Known Cavalry Leaders
Here we have images, pictures, thumbnails etc... from period sources.
We have not placed these men in any order of importance.
However, Federals are on the Left. Confederates are on the Right.
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Brigadier General Benjamin H. Grierson (1826-1911)
Grierson is most famous for his cavalry raid into Mississippi in 1863. His objectives were to destroy the rail lines into Vicksburg at Newton's Station and to attract southern forces to chase after him thereby weakening the Vicksburg garrison.Grierson's raid behind the southern lines was an answer of sorts to the three raids of Confederate J.E.B. Stuart. John Wayne played Grierson in the movie "The Horse Soldiers."[He doesn't look much like John Wayne!!] |
Brigadier General Beverly H. Robertson, CSA (1827-1910)
Just prior to the battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee ordered J.E.B Stuart to raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Stuart, as Cavalry Corps Commander, chose to leave behind with Lee the cavalry brigades of Wm. "Grumble" Jones, a fairly competent outpost commander, and Beverly H. Robertson, his least capable brigadier. This proved a poor choice for the overall good of the campaign. Robertson outranked Jones and became overall commander of mounted forces. Oddly, Lee had denied recent requests to replace the inadequate Robertson with Wade Hampton. Lee did not lack cavalry at Gettysburg. Approximately 5000 troopers were with his army. Rather, he lacked a cavalry leader in whom he had confidence. The 7th Virginia was part of Jones' brigade. |
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Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick (1836-1881)
Best known by the nickname "Kill Cavalry." In March, 1864 Kilpatrick led a raid of 4000 men into Richmond to attempt the release of hundreds of northern prisoners of war rotting in Libby Prison and Belle Isle. The force came within five miles of their objective. A small detachment under Col. Ulric Dahlgren was ambushed and their leader was killed. Kilpatrick was forced to withdraw, but he did come closer to the southern capitol than any other Federal force prior to the fall of the city. Kilpatrick led four divisions of cavalry [15,000 sabers]during the campaign to capture of Atlanta, GA. |
Brigadier General Wm. "Grumble" Jones, CSA (1824-1864)
William E. Jones graduated West Point in 1848,served on the frontier and resigned in 1857 to take up farming.In 1861 he organised the Washington Mounted Rifles and served as their Captain at First Manassas. He became a Colonel of the 1st Virginia Cavalry in 1862, and served as Colonel of 7th Virginia Cavalry at Cedar Mountain, Groveton, Second Manassas, and Sharpsburg. Thereafter he was made a Brigadier in commanded of the Shenandoah Valley Dist. Through April-May 1863 he successfully raided western Virginia. In June and July he was active in the Gettysburg campaign, winning a cavalry battle at Fairfield, PA. He fought at Brandy Station. He was a good outpost commander but was cantankerous [hence "Grumble"],and he had many disagreements with J.E.B. Stuart. In October 1863 he was court martialled by Stuart, found guilty, and transferred to Dept. of Western Virginia. Here he raided successfully and participated in the Knoxville campaign. He was killed at Piedmont, VA on June 5 1864.
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Brigadier General William Gamble (1818-1866)
At Gettysburg, on the first day of battle on July 1, 1863, Colonel Gamble's brigade did the early skirmishing with advance elements of Confederate General Heth's Division as they advanced on the Chambersburg Pike. Arriving in the town, Gamble established his headquarters on the grounds of the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Under the leadership of General Buford, Gamble's men employed a successful "defense in depth" delaying tactic until General John F. Reynolds and his I Corps could come up in support. Gamble was later made a full Brigadier. |
Major General Joseph Wheeler, CSA (1836-1906)
"Fighting Joe" Wheeler graduated from West Point in 1859 and served on the frontier in the 1st Dragoons and Mounted Rifles. He rose to Lt. General in the Confederate Army and was the cavalry commander in the western theater. He was wounded three times and is said to have taken part in 200 engagements and 80 skirmishes. After the war he became a congressman from Louisiana. In the Spanish American War, he became a Major General of volunteers in the US Army and commanded the cavalry division in action in Cuba.
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General Wesley Merritt, USA (1834-1910)
In February 1862 Merritt was a captain in the 2nd US Cavalry and served as an aide to Gen. Cooke and later General Stoneman. He commanded a reserve brigade in Stoneman's raid at the time of Chancellorsville, (June 1863), and was appointed Brig. Gen. of Volunteers, commanding the Reserve Bde/1st Divn/Cavalry Corps in Gettysburg campaign. He served in the Army of the Potomac for the remainder of the war and was promoted Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, second in command to Sheridan in Appomattox campaign. He served as a commissioner of the surrender at Appomattox.
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