Gettysburg | South Cavalry Field | July 3, 1863

Gettysburg, Pa.

While the Confederate infantry assaulted the Union center on July 3, Federal cavalry commander Gen. Alfred Pleasonton ordered his subordinate on the southern part of the field, Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick to strike the enemy with his division 鈥渁t the earliest opportunity.鈥 Kilpatrick launched a series of piecemeal attacks against the Confederates astride the Emmitsburg Road and at the foot of Big Round Top.

West of the road, Gen. Wesley Merritt鈥檚 brigade met Georgians of Gen. George 鈥淭ige鈥 Anderson鈥檚 brigade who, despite heavy casualties the day before, were able to parry Merritt鈥檚 thrust.

Around the John Slyder farm near Big Round Top, one of Kilpatrick鈥檚 brigadiers, Gen. Elon Farnsworth, despaired at having to make a mounted charge over terrain broken by boulders and stone walls. Farnsworth鈥檚 charge was met by Alabamians and Texans of 贬辞辞诲鈥檚 division, who made quick work of the Federal troopers, killing Farnsworth in the process.

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Related Battles

Adams County, PA | July 1, 1863
Result: Union Victory
Estimated Casualties
51,112
Union
23,049
Confed.
28,063