USBS-02
John Jenkins Designs
Buford was a superb cavalryman, as capable as he was tough, and perhaps the best the Union had. He was Regular Army, and a comrade of Pleasonton in the pre-war 2nd Dragoons. One admiring subordinate remembered, “It was always reassuring to see him in the saddle when there was any chance of a good fight”.
He was especially good at ferreting out enemy intelligence. On one raid he had captured J.E.B Stuart’s prized plumed hat, and almost its owner. Buford had fought well so far in the war. But greater rank had eluded him, partly from bad luck, partly because he had been born in the Southern, if Unionist slave state of Kentucky. His fellow soldiers liked him, and he was to manage the right half of the Union troops at Brandy Station, with Pleasonton in tow.