Attack At Goose Creek Bridge

Attack At Goose Creek Bridge. “Take that bridge at all hazards”. , On June 21, 1863, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart’s troopers under Gen Wade Hampton, retreating from Rector’s Crossroads (Atoka), crossed this bridge and took a strong position of the steep ridge behind you. From there, Confederate artillery unleashed a murderous fire on the Union soldiers assembling just across the swollen creek. Federal artillery unlimbered on the bluffs across from you and for an hour the guns dueling over the creek. A 4th New York Cavalry company charged the bridge but the furious barrage of shot and shell drove them back. Col. Strong Vincent’s infantrymen began a second attempt, as 83rd Pennsylvania skirmishers plunged into the creek and the 16th Michigan men rushed over the bridge. Charging past you and up the slope, the Union infantry forced the Confederated to withdraw. Stuart’s goal was to shield the movements of the main Confederate army, however, not to hold a bridge, and later that day he delayed the federals again at Upperville. , The fighting here occurred on the fifth day of sustained combat in Virginia. Eleven days later the armies met again at Gettysburg. Having gained crucial confidence here, Vincent’s men, including the famed 20th Maine Infantry, held Little Round Top while the Union cavalry continued to challenge Stuart’s troopers.