tom ryan
Bethany Beach, DE, USA
Posts: 258
 | | Duffie's recon prior to Brandy Station | | Posted on: 7/19/2010 1:44:10 PM | When Buford crossed the Rappahannock on the morning of June 9, 1863, his cavalry unexptectedly ran into resistance almost immediately -- despite the fact that Alfred Duffie' conducted a recon below the river a couple of days earlier with a force of about 2,500 for the expressed purpose of pinpointing the location of Stuart's cavalry. From what info is available on this recon (see OR, 27, III, pp. 26-27; I, pp. 1049-50), it appears that Duffie did not cover enough of the area, and did not recon the Brandy Station and Stevensburg Roads at all. This seems a little odd since Pleasonton planned to send part of his force across at Kelly's Ford that would lead to Stevensville, and Brandy Station was between the two crossing points -- the other at Beverly Ford.
From all appearances, if Duffie' had done a more extensive recon, the Union attack against Stuart on June 9 would have been more effective.
Anyone familiar with this recon, and have thoughts on Duffie's performance?
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