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."
