General John Buford - West Point, New York - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

General John Buford was born in Woodford County, Kentucky on March 4, 1926 and moved to Rock Island, Illinois as a child. Buford attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the class of 1848. Prior to the Civil War, Buford was stationed in the west with the dragoons. Buford’s regiment was recalled from Kansas and marched to Washington D. C. where they joined in the defense of the Capital. General John Pope, who was the commander of the forces charged with defending Washington, saw that Buford was promoted to General and assigned as cavalry commander. General Buford saw action at Gettysburg where his command held off Confederate Forces long enough for additional troops to arrived and secure the high ground south of town. He also saw action at Second Bull Run but shortly after his health failed and he died of typhoid fever on December 16, 1863. General Buford is resting in the United States Military Academy Cemetery in West Point, New York.
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Description: John Buford was born on March 4, 1826, on Woodford County, Kentucky. His family moved to Rock Island, Illinois when he was a child. Like his older brother, Napoleon Bonaparte Buford, John Buford attended the US Military Academy at West Point. Graduating in 1848, he served in the dragoons, taking part in various military operations until his regiment marched from Kansas to Washington, D.C., at the beginning of the Civil War. Buford held a small assignment as inspector at the time. Maj. Gen. John Pope, commander of the army defending Washington, was aware that Buford was one of the most skilled and experienced cavalry officers in the Regular Army, and soon Buford was made a brigadier general and appointed a cavalry commander. Buford applied his military knowledge from his days as a dragoon officer. One concept he brought to his command was using horses to get troops where they needed to be, then having the cavalry dismount and fight like infantry. Another idea was to use cavalry in scouting. His brigade, while scouting, captured the famous plumed hat of Confederate Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, as well as a copy of Gen. Robert E. Lee's orders to gather the Army of Northern Virginia against Maj. Gen. Pope. Buford's intelligence gathering might have helped avert a Union disaster at the Second Battle of Bull Run, if it had been utilized effectively. Buford led troops at the Battle of Gettysburg, and succeeded in holding off the Confederate forces long enough for Union troops to secure a defense position. His health deteriorated in the fall of 1863, and he took a sick leave in November. Buford died from typhoid fever on December Date of birth: 03/04/1826 Date of death: 12/16/1863 Area of notoriety: Military Marker Type: Monument Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Daily: Dawn to Dusk Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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