The Bristoe Station The Bristoe Station Campaign: October Campaign: October

18631863

Late Summer 1863Late Summer 1863

Union Army of the Potomac, commanded Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by Major General George G. Meadeby Major General George G. Meade

Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Leecommanded by General Robert E. Lee

Both armies still recovering from Both armies still recovering from GettysburgGettysburg

AoP occupies Culpeper and areas north of AoP occupies Culpeper and areas north of Rapidan River; ANV south of riverRapidan River; ANV south of river

ChangesChanges

Longstreet’s I Corps sent to Longstreet’s I Corps sent to Tennessee on September 8, leaving Tennessee on September 8, leaving Lee with only 45,000 menLee with only 45,000 men

Union defeat at ChickamaugaUnion defeat at Chickamauga (Sept. (Sept. 19-20)19-20)

Lincoln sends 11Lincoln sends 11thth and 12 and 12thth Corps to Corps to Tennessee, leaving Meade with Tennessee, leaving Meade with 76,000 men76,000 men

Lee decides to capitalize on weakened Lee decides to capitalize on weakened Union armyUnion army

Key Players: Key Players: Maj. Gen. George G. MeadeMaj. Gen. George G. Meade 1815-18721815-1872 West Point Class of West Point Class of

18351835 Mexican War, Mexican War,

Surveyor and Surveyor and EngineerEngineer

Brigade, division and Brigade, division and 55thth Corps commander Corps commander

Commanded AoP Commanded AoP since June 1863since June 1863

1807-18701807-1870 West Point Class of West Point Class of

18291829 Illustrious recordIllustrious record Commanded ANV Commanded ANV

since June 1862since June 1862 Offered his Offered his

resignation to resignation to President Davis in President Davis in August 1863August 1863

Gen. Robert E. LeeGen. Robert E. Lee

Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. WarrenWarren

1830-18821830-1882 West Point Class of 1850West Point Class of 1850 Mapped Dakotas, Mapped Dakotas,

Yellowstone, Montana, Yellowstone, Montana, Black HillsBlack Hills

55thth NY and brigade NY and brigade commandercommander

Named Chief Named Chief Topographical Officer Topographical Officer and later Chief Engineer and later Chief Engineer of AoP under Hooker.of AoP under Hooker.

Promoted to MG in Promoted to MG in AugustAugust

Lt. Gen. Ambrose Powell Lt. Gen. Ambrose Powell (A.P.) Hill(A.P.) Hill

1825-18651825-1865 Grew up in Culpeper, Grew up in Culpeper,

VaVa Commanded famed Commanded famed

“Light Division” at “Light Division” at Seven Days, Second Seven Days, Second Manassas, Antietam, Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, ChancellorsvilleChancellorsville

Given command of Given command of new 3new 3rdrd Corps after Corps after ChancellorsvilleChancellorsville

Lee’s PlanLee’s Plan

October 4, Lee decides to attackOctober 4, Lee decides to attack October 9-10, the offensive begins October 9-10, the offensive begins Lee sends Hill’s 3Lee sends Hill’s 3rdrd Corps north to Corps north to

Sperryville, Amissville and flanks Sperryville, Amissville and flanks Meade near Waterloo; continues to Meade near Waterloo; continues to WarrentonWarrenton

Richard S. Ewell’s 2Richard S. Ewell’s 2ndnd Corps takes Corps takes more direct route to Warrentonmore direct route to Warrenton

Meade ReactsMeade Reacts

Union scouts notify Union scouts notify Meade of an offensiveMeade of an offensive

On Oct. 6-7, US On Oct. 6-7, US Signal stations on Signal stations on Pony and Thorofare Pony and Thorofare Mtns intercept CS Mtns intercept CS messages coming messages coming from Clark’s Mtn from Clark’s Mtn

On Oct. 8, Meade On Oct. 8, Meade readied his men for readied his men for Lee’s mysterious Lee’s mysterious movementmovement

Meade: October 10-13Meade: October 10-13

Meade evacuates military stores in Meade evacuates military stores in Culpeper. Culpeper.

Oct 11: Meade orders AoP to fall back Oct 11: Meade orders AoP to fall back behind Rappahannock River behind Rappahannock River

Pleasonton’s faulty intelligencePleasonton’s faulty intelligence October 12: Meade vows to attack Lee; October 12: Meade vows to attack Lee;

AoP at Three Mile Station (Cassanova, Va)AoP at Three Mile Station (Cassanova, Va) October 13: While at Catlett’s Station, October 13: While at Catlett’s Station,

Meade finally orders AoP to fall back to Meade finally orders AoP to fall back to Centreville.Centreville.

Meanwhile…Meanwhile…

Hill’s Corps reaches Warrenton Hill’s Corps reaches Warrenton on Oct 13on Oct 13

Union 2Union 2ndnd Corps acts as rear Corps acts as rear guard for the armyguard for the army

The AoP retreats along the The AoP retreats along the Orange and Alexandria RROrange and Alexandria RR

US and CS units clog roads; slow US and CS units clog roads; slow goinggoing

Battle of Coffee HillBattle of Coffee Hill

J.E.B Stuart’s cavalry cut off from J.E.B Stuart’s cavalry cut off from CS army – Warren in between CS army – Warren in between Stuart and ANVStuart and ANV

Stuart hides men and opts to fight Stuart hides men and opts to fight his way out the next morning his way out the next morning

Morning of Oct 14, Stuart spots Morning of Oct 14, Stuart spots John Caldwell’s 1John Caldwell’s 1stst Division on hill Division on hill north of Auburnnorth of Auburn

Battle of Coffee HillBattle of Coffee Hill

Stuart orders up Stuart orders up 7 guns and opens 7 guns and opens fire on lounging fire on lounging Union soldiersUnion soldiers

Union guns atop Union guns atop the hill fire backthe hill fire back

BG Alexander BG Alexander Hays’sHays’s 3 3rdrd Division advances Division advances on CS gunson CS guns

Cavalry MeleeCavalry Melee

Stuart orders a quick withdrawal of Stuart orders a quick withdrawal of his artillery and sends 1his artillery and sends 1stst NC Cavalry NC Cavalry to attack Yankees to buy timeto attack Yankees to buy time

Col Thomas RuffinCol Thomas Ruffin of the 1 of the 1stst NC Cav NC Cav is KIAis KIA

Stuart’s breakthrough successfulStuart’s breakthrough successful 22ndnd Corps continues march through Corps continues march through

Catlett’s Station and onto BristoeCatlett’s Station and onto Bristoe

Hill Marches To BristoeHill Marches To Bristoe Hill’s men have longer march due to routeHill’s men have longer march due to route Hill moves through Greenwich and Hill moves through Greenwich and

debouches in the fields north of Bristoe debouches in the fields north of Bristoe Station at 1:30pmStation at 1:30pm

Hill sees Union soldiers crossing Broad Hill sees Union soldiers crossing Broad Run and assumes he has found the rear of Run and assumes he has found the rear of the Union armythe Union army

Decides to attack “fleeing” troopsDecides to attack “fleeing” troops Has no idea Union 2Has no idea Union 2ndnd Corps still had not Corps still had not

crossed Broad Runcrossed Broad Run

““Tardy” George Fouls UpTardy” George Fouls Up

MG George MG George SykesSykes fails to fails to wait for Warren wait for Warren at Bristoeat Bristoe

22ndnd Corps all Corps all alone to fight alone to fight Hill’s and Hill’s and Ewell’s Corps Ewell’s Corps

Brig. Gen. William Brig. Gen. William Whedbee KirklandWhedbee Kirkland

Born in North Born in North Carolina in 1833Carolina in 1833

Marine Corps Marine Corps officer officer

Elected colonel of Elected colonel of the 21the 21stst NC; served NC; served from First Manassas from First Manassas through Gettysburgthrough Gettysburg

Took command of Took command of J.J. Pettigrew’s NC J.J. Pettigrew’s NC brigadebrigade

Brig. Gen. John Rogers Brig. Gen. John Rogers CookeCooke

Born at Jefferson Born at Jefferson Barracks, MO in Barracks, MO in 1833 to BG Philip 1833 to BG Philip St. George CookeSt. George Cooke

Harvard gradHarvard grad Served in the 8Served in the 8thth

US InfantryUS Infantry Most experienced Most experienced

brigade brigade commandercommander

The Opening ShotsThe Opening Shots

Warren’s men marching along Warren’s men marching along south side of RR tracks. south side of RR tracks.

BG Alexander S. WebbBG Alexander S. Webb sees sees Cooke and Kirkland; orders 1Cooke and Kirkland; orders 1stst MN north of the RR to screen MN north of the RR to screen their movement at 2:15pmtheir movement at 2:15pm

11stst MN engages the 46 MN engages the 46thth NC, right NC, right flank regiment of Cooke’s Brigadeflank regiment of Cooke’s Brigade

Brig. Gen. Alexander S. Brig. Gen. Alexander S. WebbWebb

1835-1911 1835-1911 West Point Class West Point Class

of 1855of 1855 Given command of Given command of

Philadelphia Philadelphia Brigade by Meade Brigade by Meade before Gettysburgbefore Gettysburg

Commands 2Commands 2ndnd Division, 2Division, 2ndnd Corps Corps

Col. James E. MallonCol. James E. Mallon

Born in Brooklyn, NYBorn in Brooklyn, NY 27 years old27 years old Commanded 42Commanded 42ndnd NY NY

during most of war –during most of war –

““Tammany Hall” regimentTammany Hall” regiment Now commanding Now commanding

brigade; many conscripts brigade; many conscripts

Col. James E. Col. James E. Mallon’s brigade Mallon’s brigade opposed Cookeopposed Cooke

BG Joshua T. BG Joshua T. Owen’sOwen’s brigade brigade of New Yorkers of New Yorkers were on Mallon’s were on Mallon’s left flank and left flank and opposed Cooke opposed Cooke and Perryand Perry

The Artillery Factor The Artillery Factor

Maj. David G. McIntoshMaj. David G. McIntosh moved his moved his battalion to knoll 400 yards from RR battalion to knoll 400 yards from RR – only able to field 5 guns– only able to field 5 guns

Warren places two batteries (12 3-Warren places two batteries (12 3-inch Ordnance Rifles) on slight rise inch Ordnance Rifles) on slight rise behind infantry and one battery of 4 behind infantry and one battery of 4 12-pounder Napoleons on east side 12-pounder Napoleons on east side of Broad Runof Broad Run

The Battle BeginsThe Battle Begins

3,000 Federals vs. 4,000 Rebs3,000 Federals vs. 4,000 Rebs Cooke and Kirkland march blindly Cooke and Kirkland march blindly

toward hiding Union troopstoward hiding Union troops At 2:45pm, Mallon’s and Heath’s men At 2:45pm, Mallon’s and Heath’s men

stand up and deliver first crushing stand up and deliver first crushing volley; Union artillery decimates CS volley; Union artillery decimates CS lineslines

Cooke wounded in the leg; Kirkland Cooke wounded in the leg; Kirkland hit in left armhit in left arm

The Advance…The Advance…

Brief yet Brutal MeleeBrief yet Brutal Melee

Elements from 48Elements from 48thth and 27 and 27thth NC NC advance toward center of Mallon’s advance toward center of Mallon’s line near the road junctionline near the road junction

Three color bearers of 27Three color bearers of 27thth NC cut NC cut downdown

Hand-to-hand fight at RR Hand-to-hand fight at RR Mallon personally rallies the 42Mallon personally rallies the 42ndnd NY NY

and 20and 20thth MA and is mortally wounded MA and is mortally wounded

The Mystery FlagsThe Mystery Flags

1111thth and 52 and 52ndnd NC gain RR and fire into NC gain RR and fire into 8282ndnd NY NY

Cpl. Thomas Cullen of 82Cpl. Thomas Cullen of 82ndnd NY NY captures the flag from either 47captures the flag from either 47thth or or 5252ndnd NC NC

Cpl. Moses C. Hanscom of 19Cpl. Moses C. Hanscom of 19thth ME ME captures the flag from the 26captures the flag from the 26thth NC – NC – second time since Gettysburgsecond time since Gettysburg

Both men win Medal of HonorBoth men win Medal of Honor

Posey and Perry Gain the Posey and Perry Gain the RRRR

At 3:30pm, At 3:30pm, BG BG Carnot Posey’sCarnot Posey’s MS MS brigade and BG brigade and BG Edward A. Perry’s Edward A. Perry’s FL brigade of MG FL brigade of MG Richard Anderson’s Richard Anderson’s Division advance Division advance toward Union left toward Union left flank flank

Briefly hold RR Briefly hold RR embankmentembankment

Smyth to the RescueSmyth to the Rescue

Timely arrival of Timely arrival of ColCol Thomas A. Smyth’sThomas A. Smyth’s brigade and Battery brigade and Battery G, 1G, 1stst NY Light NY Light Artillery (2 guns)Artillery (2 guns)

Fires double Fires double canister from atop canister from atop the RR; seals the the RR; seals the breach breach

The Fighting ContinuesThe Fighting Continues

Nearly 300 men captured from Nearly 300 men captured from Kirkland’s BrigadeKirkland’s Brigade

By 3:30pm, Cooke and Kirkland By 3:30pm, Cooke and Kirkland retreat retreat

Smyth ordered to advance to Smyth ordered to advance to support Wasssupport Wass

Wass’s men drag 5 guns by prolonge Wass’s men drag 5 guns by prolonge back to Union lineback to Union line

October 14: EveningOctober 14: Evening

Smyth advances vs. Anderson; US line Smyth advances vs. Anderson; US line reinforced with 3 more batteries; reinforced with 3 more batteries; artillery barrage 4-6pm - Posey artillery barrage 4-6pm - Posey woundedwounded

4-5pm: Caldwell’s division arrives; so 4-5pm: Caldwell’s division arrives; so does Ewell’s Corps – ANV never does Ewell’s Corps – ANV never launches all-out attacklaunches all-out attack

Lee’s men make camp on battlefieldLee’s men make camp on battlefield 22ndnd Corps reaches Centreville by Oct 15 Corps reaches Centreville by Oct 15

The Aftermath: CS lossesThe Aftermath: CS losses

CookeCooke: :

- ~650/2,500- ~650/2,500 – 25% – 25% casualtiescasualties

- 27- 27thth NC lost NC lost 290/416 men290/416 men

- 48- 48thth NC, 160 NC, 160 casualtiescasualties

KirklandKirkland: : - 550/1,500- 550/1,500 or or 36% casualties 36% casualties (300 captured)(300 captured)- 26th NC lost - 26th NC lost 179 men and 179 men and flagflag

Total CS casualties:Total CS casualties: ~1,400 /3 genls~1,400 /3 genls

**Additional losses in other **Additional losses in other commands**commands**

US LossesUS Losses

256 men killed, wounded and 256 men killed, wounded and captured at Bristoe Station captured at Bristoe Station

~100 casualties at Coffee Hill~100 casualties at Coffee Hill

Total US Casualties for Bristoe Total US Casualties for Bristoe Campaign: 540Campaign: 540

Concluding ThoughtsConcluding Thoughts

Meade inexplicably retreats to Meade inexplicably retreats to CentrevilleCentreville

Warren performs well as corps Warren performs well as corps commander and fights a smart commander and fights a smart defensive battle; uses reinforcements defensive battle; uses reinforcements and artillery to blunt attackand artillery to blunt attack

US staff work commendableUS staff work commendable Hill horribly mismanages the attackHill horribly mismanages the attack Lee fails to follow up with all-out assaultLee fails to follow up with all-out assault

Thoughts…Thoughts…

Lee’s gains strategic victory/tactical Lee’s gains strategic victory/tactical loss at Bristoeloss at Bristoe

Destroys supplies and RR and forces Destroys supplies and RR and forces Meade back to Defenses of WashingtonMeade back to Defenses of Washington

Lincoln and Halleck disappointed with Lincoln and Halleck disappointed with MeadeMeade

Lee’s strategic success temporary; Lee’s strategic success temporary; Meade back again for Mine Run Meade back again for Mine Run Campaign in November 1863 Campaign in November 1863

Bristoe TodayBristoe Today

Over 500 Confederate soldiers still Over 500 Confederate soldiers still buried on the battlefield buried on the battlefield (including (including 143 from the October 1863 battle)143 from the October 1863 battle)