July 3: In an effort to threaten the center-rear of Meade's line on Cemetery Hill, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart attempted to lead his cavalry troopers around Gettysburg from west of the town, via a sweeping arch around to to southwest of the town, crossing York Road and attempting to reach Hanover Road.
Around 2 P.M., Confederate cavalry skirmishers collided with advancing Union skirmishers along a fence line just south of the Rummel Farm south-west of Gettysburg proper. About the same time, a Confederate battery appeared on the rise adjacent to the farm and began firing on the advancing Union skirmishers.
After a see-saw battle which saw both sides gaining and losing the same ground, Stuart brought his 6,300 available troopers into the fray to try and drive-off the 4,500 federal troopers blocking his efforts of trying to get to Hanover Road.
As a massive Confederate charge was launched towards the Union troopers, Union General Custer was ordered to deliver the counter-charge in the attempt to stop the Confederate advance, while other Union officers led flanking attacks on the advancing Confederate line.
The mid-field collision of the two opposing cavalry lines was described as sounding like "timber falling," and opposing horses were literally thrown end-over-end as they collided.
However, the Confederates, having already been subjected to heavy artillery fire before even colliding with the Union cavalry units, could not drive-off the frontal and flanking assaults on their line, and were forced to retire to Cress' Ridge. Confederate light artillery prevented the Union troopers from advancing any further and the action closed with an artillery duel until dark.
Casualties: Confederate -41 killed; 50 wounded; 90 missing (total 181). Union - 30 killed; 149 wounded; 75 missing (total 254). The casualty totals do not include those of Confederate Jenkin's Brigade.
For a more in-depth account of this battle, please refer to our LINKS section.
