![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() He determined that his initial defense would occur along McPherson and Seminary ridges to the north and west of the town, permitting his units to retreat and fight through the town and onto Cemetery Ridge if Confederate pressure was more than he and any Union reinforcements could handle (Longacre, p. The defensive plan for the Union cavalry commander focused on the series of ridges surrounding the town. A small number of them had repeating rifles as well (Soodalter). His men spread out in long, thin lines utilizing the available cover provided by the terrain. He advised his men to notice campfires at night and the dust of approaching columns early in the morning. Buford set up his undersized element to force the Confederates to attack multiple superior defensive positions throughout the day. Buford’s supervision of his forces on the eve of battle was comprehensive, and several aspects of what are today known as the US Army’s “troop leading procedures” were evident in his leadership example. He came to realize that a substantial force under General Hill was as close as 9 miles away (Longacre, p. He talked with civilians and personally visited far-flung elements of his own forces, or pickets as they were called, to gather the most complete assessment of the enemy. To confirm his suspicions, Buford conducted his own extensive reconnaissance of the terrain around the town. But Buford differed and correctly inferred that the lack of enthusiasm for fighting on the part of the Confederates indicated they had a better option than a hasty fight (Longacre, p. Buford’s subordinate commanders viewed this as a positive sign, indicating the enemy’s unwillingness to press the issue. Another inconsequential clash occurred on the following day, June 30th, against a reinforced Confederate scouting party. As such, Buford avoided prolonged combat when encountering a Confederate force (Longacre, p. ![]() Buford’s objective on June 29th was to secure the town of Gettysburg for consolidation of the Army. ![]()
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