After capturing Confederate wagons and more than 1300 prisoners at an unreadable pass, Union cavalry under General Judson Kilpatrick moved to Smithsburg on the morning of July 5. After burning the wagons on the outskirts of town, Kilpatrick deployed his men on the three hills commanding the approaches to the town. In the afternoon, Confederate cavalry under J.E.B. Stuart approached Smithsburg from the northeast. Stuart's objective was to place his command between Kilpatrick and General Robert E. Lee's wagon train retreating from Gettysburg. At 4:00 p.m. Union artillery opened fire and spirited action ensued for about an hour. After being unable to penetrate Union defenses, the Confederates withdrew. That evening Kilpatrick moved to Boonsboro, and Stuart moved to Leitersburg.
