On July 3, 1863, a little after 2 P.M., as Southern forces met disaster at Gettysburg during Pickett's Charge, a smaller but important Confederate assault won a victory at Fairfield. That day, the 6th U.S. Cavalry was sent to Fairfield to attack a vulnerable wagon train at the rear of Robert E. Lee's army, and Confederate Gen. William "Grumble" Jones' Brigade of Virginia cavalry was dispatched to meet the threat. In a short, violent skirmish, the Virginians charged the Regulars and forced a chaotic retreat through the streets of Fairfield. The 6th U.S. Cavalry reported 242 casualties, while the Virginians suffered 58 casualties. Jones said, "In an open country, a bold charge of cavalry will in all cases whip a line of skirmishers." His victory cleared the road toward the South Mountain pass, which proved valuable the next day when the retreating Army of Northern Virginia passed through Fairfield as planned toward the important mountain pass.
