Eve Of War

June 30, 1863

Brig. General John Buford

USA

On June 30 Brig. General John Buford and his cavalry division rode into Gettysburg from the south-southwest, screening the advance of the left wing of Maj. General George Meade's army. Buford's division had been carefully schooled and admirably equipped for its historic mission. A practical general, Buford regarded as outmoded the combat methods that had characterized the Southern cavalry under Jeb Stuart---the mounted charge with saber and pistol. Buford felt that the horse afforded mobility for rapid movement, but the troopers fought more effectively when dismounted.

                                                        

                                                      

Spotting the Confederate movement to the west along the Chambersburg Pike, Buford ordered his troops to set up a half-ring formation around the surrounding hills of the town. From his position on Seminary Ridge, to the north-northwest on Oak Hill ridge, to the northeast on Barlow Knoll and behind them was Cemetery Hill. Buford made camp on the grounds of the Lutheran Theological Seminary,  just west of the town. Fearing that he would meet the entire Reb army, he wrote a letter to Maj. General John Reynolds that evening that he expected to engage the enemy the next morning and to speed his three corps of men to the area as fast as possible. Night fell, and they waited for the fight the next day.

Lutheran Theological Seminary

Troop Positions

Evening of June 30

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