In the first three days of July 1863, 165,000 soldiers converged on Gettysburg, leaving their mark forever on its land, buildings, and people, and fighting spread beyond the town to places like Hunterstown. On the afternoon of July 2, Brigadier General Wade Hampton's Cavalry Brigade was ordered to protect the Confederate Army's left flank and followed the Hunterstown Road, placing it to guard against attacks from the east. At 4:30 P.M., Union cavalry under Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer attacked the rear of Hampton's Brigade. When the Federals retreated, Hampton pursued them into an ambush, where Union troops hidden behind barns and high wheat opened fire as the Rebels galloped past. This action deprived the Confederate left flank of protection, and while Hampton fought Custer, another brigade had to take over defense against other Union cavalry. Without the Battle of Hunterstown, about 2,000 more Confederate infantry might have joined the evening fighting at Culp's Hill and East Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg.

Photo: Craig Swain

Photo: Craig Swain

Straban, Pennsylvania · USA