Near Buckland in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Buckland Mills
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 19, 2012
1. Battle of Buckland Mills Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Buckland Mills. . On October 19, 1863, 12,000 Confederate and Union cavalry clashed at Buckland. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, screening the Confederate withdrawal following the Battle of Bristoe Station, blocked the advance of Union Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick's cavalry division. Initially occupying this position, Gen. George A. Custer's brigade forced Stuart's retreat westward and Gen. Henry E. Davies' brigade gave chase. Early in the afternoon, as Custer's men rested at Buckland, Confederate Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's division suddenly attacked from the south, pushing Custer back across the Broad Run bridge and separating his brigade from Davies at New Baltimore. Davies broke off pursuit of Stuart who immediately counterattacked, routing the Federals along the Warrenton Turnpike. The Confederates lost about 50 men, the Federals about 260, mostly prisoners in what the Confederates jubilantly called the “Buckland Races.” Stuart termed the Union rout “the most complete that any cavalry…suffered during this war” while Custer noted the date as “the most disastrous this division ever passed through.”
On October 19, 1863, 12,000 Confederate and Union cavalry clashed at Buckland. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, screening the Confederate withdrawal following the Battle of Bristoe Station, blocked the advance of Union Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick's cavalry division. Initially occupying this position, Gen. George A. Custer's brigade forced Stuart's retreat westward and Gen. Henry E. Davies' brigade gave chase. Early in the afternoon, as Custer's men rested at Buckland, Confederate Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's division suddenly attacked from the south, pushing Custer back across the Broad Run bridge and separating his brigade from Davies at New Baltimore. Davies broke off pursuit of Stuart who immediately counterattacked, routing the Federals along the Warrenton Turnpike. The Confederates lost about 50 men, the Federals about 260, mostly prisoners in what the Confederates jubilantly called the “Buckland Races.” Stuart termed the Union rout “the most complete that any cavalry…suffered during this war” while Custer noted the date as “the most disastrous this division ever passed through.”
Erected 2011 by Prince William County Historical Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the
Location. 38° 47.122′ N, 77° 39.99′ W. Marker is near Buckland, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is at the intersection of James Madison Highway (U.S. 15) and Madison Ridge Place, on the right when traveling south on James Madison Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gainesville VA 20155, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The nearby sign notes the history of the tract of land and how it was preserved.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,326 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on December 6, 2023, by N. Jozsa of Woodbridge, Virginia. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 26, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.