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4 March 1826 John Bufords birthday!

1826 Year of the Dog: Dogs possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty and inspire other peoples confidence. Dogs are extremely protective of themselves and their loved ones. They have a passion for fair play and justice; they may rant and rave, but they never rest until they right the wrong. Having sharp eyes, they will see through peoples motives. Dogs are private about their personal lives and become secretive and withdrawn if anyone is prying into their affairs. Dogs can be somewhat selfish and terribly stubborn; sometimes eccentric. Gain a dogs trust, and the friendship is permanent. If you need them, they will always be there.

March 4th, 1826, was a Saturday; Mother Goose: Saturdays child works hard for a living.


Also Born in 1826: Stephen Foster, Union General George B. McClellan, Julia Dent (Grant), and Varina Howell (Davis).


Happening in 1826: John Quincy Adams was President; Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die within hours of each other on the 4th of July, 1826 (the 50th anniversary of the U.S.); American Temperance Society founded; Nicphone Nipce makes a true photograph (now the oldest surviving photograph); the USS Vincennes is the first U.S. Navy ship to circumnavigate the globe; English-born merchant Samuel Lord borrows $1,000 from his wifes Uncle John Taylor to open Lord & Taylor in New York; Andr Ampre publishes Electrodynamics; West Point cadets riot at Christmas to protest what they believe are arbitrary decisions by the superintendent, Sing Sing prison opens; and the first giraffe ever seen in France arrives at Marseilles.


Pisces (February 19 March 20)

Likes: Direction (without which Pisceans tend to drift), sensitive and instinctual rather than intellectual or mechanical, usually gifted artistically, tend to understand things by absorption rather than logic, are not inclined toward ego problems.

Dislikes: Structure and conformity, prone to flights of fancy, not being challenged.

Ideal Careers: Just about anything.provided it engages their creativity.

Famous Pisceans: Copernicus, Herman Hesse, Jeff Daniels, Arthur Schopenhauer, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Buffalo Bill Cody, Elizabeth Taylor, Johnny Cash, Ralph Nader, Mikail Gorbachev, Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Suess), Alexander Graham Bell, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., Bobby Fischer, Albert Einstein, Mario Andretti, Smokey Robinson, W. H. Auden, Ron Howard, Jane Goodall, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.



Hogwarts House Hat Sorter General John Buford, Jr.: Hufflepuff hard work, loyalty, tolerance, and fair play; the animal is a badger. Colors are canary yellow and black.


On a cold Sunday afternoon, December 20th, 1863, a funeral procession came to a halt at a Presbyterian church located at the intersections of New York Avenue, H Street, and 13th Street, in Washington, D.C. A gray horse riderless had followed immediately behind the casket. A horse had always been a part of John Bufords life from the beginning back in the rich horse country of central Kentucky until his final cavalry duties in Culpeper, Virginia. November of 1863 found Buford carefully placing pickets and reviewing scouting reports instead of convalescing on a sick leave granted by War Secretary Stanton. In a few days, however, refusing much-needed sick leave would be beyond John Bufords control; the sleep-deprived, stressed out cavalry general would be physically forced down by fever (probably typhoid).

The horse in the sad cortege that December Sunday was likely Grey Eagle, but biographical sources are unable to confirm with certainty the identity of the riderless horse behind General John Bufords casket. Regrettably, biographical sources on Buford are few indeed. While Civil War historians (and probably long-standing Civil War buffs) have been well aware of the exemplary skills of Buford, he has only come into a celebrity status of sorts in the waning decades of the 20th century. Similar perhaps to Joshua Chamberlain, Ron Maxwells film Gettysburg notwithstanding some of its inaccuracies regarding Buford proved a catalyst in retrieving the legacy of John Buford from the shadows of obscurity. Maxwell (as well as Michael Shaara) have successfully contested the validity of historys will in the strange probate of time and, in so doing, have made John Buford a star of sorts. No doubt, Sam Elliotts thoughtful characterization of Buford has lent itself well to making John Buford more memorable than he might have been otherwise; I have yet to hear Sam Elliotts portrayal not mentioned positively as soon as the subject of the film comes up in conversation. Despite the scarce provision of information about John Buford, one thing quite certain is that he would have shunned this celebrity fame. Be that as it may, the Civil War aficionado of today is content that their rightful inheritance has been fixed to include the well-deserved recognition of General Buford.

John Buford, Jr., was born on 4 March, 1826, in Woodford County, Kentucky, near the small town of Versailles (pronounced Versails unlike the French city). John was the first son of his fathers (John Buford, Sr.) second marriage. Buford Sr. remarried after his first wifes death, with John apparently the only inconspicuous name as his younger brothers were named Thomas Jefferson Buford and James Monroe Buford (as well as a half-brother from his fathers previous marriage: Napoleon Bonaparte Buford). John was born in what is today the heart of Kentucky horse country (central region; encompassing Lexington and adjacent counties). Bufords mother died when John was only 8; by the time he was 10, his father moved the family to Stephenson, Illinois (before it became Rock Island, Illinois).

Perhaps typical whether true or false neighbors in both Kentucky and Illinois remember the boy John Buford as an avid horseback rider and equestrian dare-devil of sorts. Growing up, Buford was athletic and fit, loved the outdoorshunting and fishing; he worked in his fathers store and post office until the time came for him to prepare for West Point. Bufords family had ties to the military from the American Revolution and his interest in the military was something of a naturally occurring tendency. Johns older half-brother, N.B. Buford, had graduated from West Point the year after John was born in 1827. Indeed, Johns older brother would be instrumental in influencing Johns drive for a good education and it would be N.B.s letter-writing campaign that finally won John an appointment to West Point (as previous attempts to gain an appointment had failed). Notwithstanding N.B.s able assistance, John worked just as diligently to gain entry into West Point by studying under tutors and attending Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, for one year to improve his academic qualifications.

At West Point, Buford was described as a person with a serious turn of mind. This may have kept Bufords more egregious demerits to a minimum, but it didnt mean that Buford was all work and no play. The majority of Bufords demerits at the Point came from visiting other students quarters after hours perhaps suggesting that his quiet demeanor in no way suggested that he was a loner. Buford developed close friendships with Ambrose Burnside (Class of 47) and George Stoneman (Class of 46). To Bufords disappointment, however, the Mexican War ended before he had a chance to put his skills to the test. John Buford would gain all of his experience on the American frontier fighting Indians, putting down rebellions, and shepherding supply trains over unforgiving terrain.

Curiously enough, it was the unpopular General John Pope who plucked the talented Buford out from behind a desk at the War Department in Washington, D.C., and into the field on the back of a horse. Buford had arrived in Washington, D.C. in October of 1861 and was assigned to the War Department as an assistant inspector general. Buford would hold this position until Pope tagged him to replace one of his cavalry commanders, promoted him to Brigadier General, and attached him to the Army of Virginia in late July 1862. And so begins the odyssey of John Bufords Civil War cavalry career.

There is speculation as to why Buford wasnt assigned a major command after the demise of Popes Army. Moreover, theres a palpable sense of frustration (on Bufords part) with the Federal cavalry itself. Like more than a few officers in the Army of the Potomac, Buford had little tolerance for the political maneuvering throughout this Army that constituted perhaps some of the more negative and problematic aspects of the AoP. That being said, Bufords personal professionalism may have contributed to what appears to be a systematic marginalizing by the powers that be. Buford could likely get along with and work for just about anyone including John Pope and Ambrose Burnside in that Bufords high-level of professionalism required him to conscientiously attach himself to his duty rather than his colleagues. Where others might have ranted and railed against the likes of Pope and Burnside (and perhaps rightfully so), Buford quietly did his duty and pressed forward. He didnt create any enemies; but he likely didnt create many friends either. Whether or not any of this is wholly true is unclear; its merely speculated as to the politics inside the Army.

Whats less open to speculation is Bufords frustration with a rapidly changing cavalry and his place in it. Bufords frustration with the Federal cavalry seems to be found in the notion that a cavalry hit hard by rapid changes in not only technology, but also the attending need to reassess how/where the modern cavalry can best function becomes an increasingly difficult environment to operate in:

I am disgusted and worn out with the system that seems to prevail. There is so much apathy and so little disposition to fight and co-operate that I wish to be relieved from the Army of the Potomac. I do not wish to put myself and [my] soldiers in front where I cannot get a supportI am willing to serve my country, but I do not wish to sacrifice the brave men under my command [John Buford (to Gen. Pleasonton); near Culpeper Court House; around 1 August 1863]

Edward Longacre sheds some light on this:

The multi-faceted nature of dragoon operations demanded a body of tactics that kept pace with fast-moving developments in weapons technology. As the U.S. Army approached mid-century, advances in the manufacture of long-range rifles to be expedited in the early 1850s with the perfection of the hollow-based, expandable minie ball, which bit into the grooves inside a rifle barrel was altering the role of horsemen in battle. Mounted charges were becoming increasingly perilous under the intense and accurate fusillades that foot soldiers were capable of delivering. Even so, when Lieutenant Buford joined the First Dragoons tactical theory stressed Napoleonic concepts including the mounted attack and the double-rank formation, while calling for the infrequent use of firearms. Little thought was given to the use of cavalry in close cooperation with units of other arms or in the taking and holding of disputed ground. These and other inflexible rubrics, based on outmoded theories of warfare, threatened mounted troops with extinction.

Change would come slowly, painfully, and at a heavy cost. Buford, however, would embrace innovative thinking and modern tactics. As one admirer later noted, at an early period in his career the Kentuckian decided that mounted troops should not be restricted to a single mode of fighting. He could appreciate the moral and physical value of the mounted attack, especially when striking a disorganized force or harassing an enemy in flight. At the same time, he entertained no prejudices in favor of fighting with the saber, or against fighting dismounted when the circumstances of the case called for or seemed to justify it. In sum, Buford was a rare commodity among the mounted officers of his era, a true dragoon, as well as a true cavalier. [General John Buford; A Military Biography; Edward C. Longacre; 1995; Da Capo Press]

Some people are more inclined towards embracing change and have a natural tendency towards flexibility and adaptability; while others are perhaps less welcoming of change or at best uncomfortable with non-conformist views. As a Lieutenant in the 1850s, Buford hadnt had twenty years of experience to freeze him permanently in pet opinions and long-standing habits. Either way, Bufords unalloyed sense of duty and professionalism would undoubtedly be the hallmarks that consistently distinguished Buford.

Whatever the complexities of Bufords own frustrations with the Army and notwithstanding his successes one thing became increasingly clear starting in the summer of Gettysburg and up until his death (if not, in fact, playing a role in causing his death). John Buford was growing tired; in fact more than tired. Failed attempts at chasing down Lees Army of Northern Virginia after Gettysburg were not for lack of trying; Buford and his men not entirely rested from their cavalry duties at the onset of Gettysburg scrambled after Lee as best as possible. The end result was the beginning of a fatigue that would not ever really cure itself as Buford could never quite give himself over to even a decent nights sleep. His sleeping habits were largely minimalist in nature probably more like naps with John simply wrapping a blanket about himself and sleeping on the ground (Indian style) near the camp fire for a few hours.

But there was more than this. Pattie Buford the Generals wife was about to encounter the first of many hard losses in late July 1863. The news was bad. Pattie had gone to visit her father in July only to arrive in time for his death. Pattie might have expected her ill father to die, but she would have hardly anticipated losing her and Johns five-year-old daughter (little Pattie) most likely to disease contracted on their journey. John had received the news late; but even then, running down Lees Army prevented John from immediately joining Pattie. As soon as John was able, however, he went directly home to Pattie fully aware of how harsh a blow this was to her. Buford himself didnt love his young daughter any less than his wife did; nevertheless, Bufords absences likely lessened the opportunity for strong bonding with his kids. His more direct concern was Pattie herself reeling from the loss of her father and her only daughter within such close proximity of each other:

[]. He reached Georgetown on the evening of the eleventh (of August) to find his wife broken-hearted. [Longacre; General John Buford]

Beyond this, Pattie would endure not only the loss of John just a few months later, but also the death of her and Johns only son, James (still in his teens), about 1873leaving Pattie alone without her husband and her children.

Johns devotion to his duty and to his wife were probably rarely manifested in words but, rather, abundantly so in his deeds. He might have been a no-nonsense sort of person with a serious turn of mind but he wasnt devoid of caring deeply about what he loved. Beyond the sense of his duty and his wife.there was, of course, his own soldiers. The somewhat singular outburst of temper displayed by Buford in a fit of anger quoted above (i.e., I am disgusted.) was equally if not, in fact, more so an expression of concern for the men under his command rather than just himself. Buford was always forthcoming with praise for his men (but never excessive or exaggerated) and made sure his views were communicated up the chain of command. Wherever and whenever possible, he saw to their needs and their well-being. Whenever able, he attended to Confederate wounded as readily as he attended to his own wounded.

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Headquarters Army of the Potomac
February 21, 1863

Assistant Adjutant-General

The services of Brig. Gen. John Buford are very much needed here. Cannot he be relieved from duty on that court and sent here at once?

Joseph $#!+%#
Major-General, Commanding



Washington, D.C.
February 21, 1863

Major-General $#!+%#:

The General-in-Chief directs me to say that General Buford is on a court for the trial of an officer of your command, and cannot be relieved till trial is over.

J. C. Kelton
Assistant Adjutant-General

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Chattanooga, Tenn; Oct. 1st, 1863 10:30 a.m.

Maj. Gen. H. W. Halleck

All quiet here. Enemy on our front. Our wounded coming in. Raining heavily. River begins to rise. Roads will be awful. Enemys cavalry forced passage at several points below Kingston. Thought to be moving towards McMinnville. Another cavalry column crossed at Gunters Landing; reported at New Market yesterday. They will aim to destroy our railroad communication. Our cavalry concentrated to oppose the column between us and Kingston. As I have often advised, more mounted force will be needful to cover our advance, or even hold our own. I must have an able cavalry commander. Stanley much disabled; Mitchell also. Cant you send me John Buford?

[]

W. S. Rosecrans
Major-General

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Bufords men and horses were[]exhausted. Buford commented disgustedly that the people talk instead of working. In spite of the poor condition of his command he continued his practice of the previous night of sending parties of troopers throughout the country north, northwest, and northeast of Gettysburg. His reports to Pleasonton and Reynolds were models of accuracy and succinctness, revealing a man dedicated to his work and intolerant of any nonsense. He was all business. [The Gettysburg Campaign; a Study in Command; Edwin B. Coddington]

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John Buford Jr., died in 1863 and is buried at West Point Cemetery, USMA, West Point, New York.

Other Notable 1863 deaths: Eugene Delacroix, Jacob Grimm, Sam Houston, Union Generals John F. Reynolds, Edwin V. Sumner, Union Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, Confederate Generals Stonewall Jackson, Lewis A. Armistead, and Confederate Major John Pelham.



20 December 1863
Ft. Stevens, D.C.

Dear Father:

[]

We are kept busy in spite of the cold weather. Yesterday Maj. Chamberlain inspected in artillery, preparatory to the coming inspection of Gen. Barry, and he is so faithful we nearly froze to death. My company did very well I thought. Today we were ordered to Slocum at 9:00a.m. for inspection, which we understood to mean drill. The major was in command, and had charged front forward on first company the men rubbing their ears, and taking no interest in the drill when Col. Warner came out and ordered us home too cold to drill. A battalion means from two companies to twelve, and a battalion drill is a drill of two or more companies in regimental maneuvers; usually the same as a regimental drill, but we can have a battalion drill at our own fort. You have probably seen in the papers of Bufords death and obsequies. The officers of the Division were requested to attend, and so we went down the p.m. I rode old Grey, and was very comfortable in my big overcoat and cape. We were ordered to assemble at Division (Haskins) Headquarters, and go from there to the church, and the consequence was (intended perhaps) that we could not get in, as there were three times as many present as could be accommodated in the church. I succeeded in getting on to the threshold of the door towards the close of the service. Saw lots of big generals. Sickles is the finest looking one in the crowd, and is quite a lion here quite a change in his social status in the last two years. There was an escort of Infantry, Artillery and Cavalry under Gen. Stoneman, who has a voice like a lion; and a big procession of military men, Cavalry officers &c. But I cut for home when I had seen it pass down the Avenue. It was quite a show, and Buford deserved it.

[]

With much love, as ever,
Aldace F. Walker
[Quite Ready to Be Sent Somewhere; The Civil War Letters of Aldace Freeman Walker]

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