Sunday, October 13, 2013

October 14, 1863---The Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia



OCTOBER 14, 1863:           

The Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia. 

Robert E. Lee’s maneuvering Third Corps of the Army of Northern Virginia runs headlong into General George Meade’s Second Corps of the Army of The Potomac. 

In the ensuing battle, the Union is able to ambush several Confederate units, causing Lee a 3:1 loss of men (1500 Confederates to 500 Federals), including several Colonels and Generals. The Confederates do manage to damage the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, and Meade temporarily falls back to Centreville, but the Confederates are unable to capitalize on these conditions or hold Bristoe Station. 

Lee, deeply troubled by this defeat, tells General A.P. Hill, "Well, well, general, bury these poor men and let us say no more about it."