Brigadier General John Buford was one of the Union heroes at Gettysburg. He commanded a cavalry brigade which, on the first day, slowed down a division under Confederate General Harry enough to allow a Union corps under John Reynolds to join the fight. At the time, cavalry were considered pretty useless against infantry. The saying went, "Whoever saw a dead horse soldier?" But he deployed his forces skillfully, preventing the South from winning the field. And remember, every other trooper had to be use simply to hold the horses.

Tragically, he died of typhoid less than 6 months later, in December, 1863.

Played very nicely by Sam Elliott in the movie "Gettysburg"

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Civil War battle of November, 1863

from Lookout Mountain overlooking the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Over a century and a half ago, thousands on men clashed, and died, here.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania

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Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania

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Sept. 17, 1862--the bloodiest day in American history. McClellan's Army of the Potomac met Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Total losses totaled some 23,00, including about 3675 killed, 17, 300 wounded, and 1770 captured or missing. Some 3750 later died of their wounds, bringing the death total to about 7440.

Note: the most American deaths from any one event was probably the Galveston hurricane which began on Sept. 8, 1900, and lasted through the next day. Estimates vary, but total deaths were probably around 8000.

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