Near Warrenton in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Buckland Races
An Inglorious Skedaddle
Here on Chestnut Hill the wily Confederate had set a trap for Gen. Judson Kilpatrick’s Union cavalry division. Using Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry division as bait, Stuart had lured one of Kilpatrick’s brigades here by retreating from Buckland Mill (5 miles east of here) along the Warrenton Turnpike (present-day Route 15/29). The jaw of the trap was Confederate Gen. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry division moving north toward Buckland Mill from east of here to cut off Kilpatrick’s line of retreat.
By 3:30 that afternoon, Stuart’s gray clad troopers were coiled to strike on Chestnut Hill as Kilpatrick’s unwitting Federals approached, when suddenly cannon fire erupted from the east. Lee’s Confederates had struck the Union rear guard at Buckland. At that moment Stuart’s three brigades swooped down on the Federals with a rebel yell, turning an organized retreat into an inglorious skedaddle. Hootin’ and hollerin’ all the way, Stuart’s Rebel horsemen chased the fleeing Yankees back to Buckland in an action that resembled a spirited steeplechase rather than a military operation.
Fortunately for Kilpatrick, his other supporting brigade was commanded by Gen. George Custer. Sensing the Rebel trap before it had been set, Custer delayed his advance to Chestnut Hill. By lingering in the vicinity of Buckland, he thwarted Fitz Lee’s attempt to cut off Kilpatrick long enough for most of the Federals to escape.
Although Stuart had to content himself with 250 Yankee prisoners instead of two entire brigades, the “Buckland Races” did yield a treasure of amusing yarns for future campfires.
This was the last action of the Bristoe Station Campaign.
Erected by Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 19, 1911.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 38° 44.259′ N, 77° 46.138′ W. Marker was near Warrenton, Virginia, in Fauquier County. Marker was at the intersection of Colonial Road and U.S. 29 on Colonial Road. It is on the far corner of the Park & Ride lot. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Warrenton VA 20187, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Colonial Road (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fredericksburg Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away); McClellan’s Farewell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rosenwald Schools in Fauquier (approx. 2 miles away); Brentmoor (approx. 2.1 miles away); Brentmoor: The Spilman-Mosby House (approx. 2.2 miles away); John Marshall (approx. 2.2 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warrenton.
Also see . . . Buckland, Virginia. History. (Submitted on December 22, 2006.)
Additional commentary.
1. Marker is missing
I visited this site earlier today and can confirm the sign is no longer there.
— Submitted November 19, 2020, by Michael Kleen of Woodbridge, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,718 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on May 3, 2018, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 22, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on December 22, 2006. 3. submitted on December 22, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on June 6, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.