Battle of Aldie

Other Names: None

Location: Loudoun County, Virginia

Campaign: Gettysburg Campaign (June-August 1863)

Date: June 17, 1863

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick [US]; Col. Thomas Munford [CS]

Forces Engaged: 2,000 [US]; 1,500 [CS]

Casualties and losses: 250 total

Result(s): Inconclusive

Brief Description:

Stuart's cavalry screened the Confederate infantry as it marched north behind the sheltering Blue Ridge. The pursuing Federals of Kilpatrick's brigade, in the advance of Gregg's division, encountered Munford's troopers near the village of Aldie, resulting in four hours of stubborn fighting. Both sides made mounted assaults by regiments and squadrons. Kilpatrick was reinforced in the afternoon, and Munford withdrew toward Middleburg. Munford did not consider Aldie a defeat because his withdrawal coincided with an order from Stuart to retire, as more Federal cavalry had been sighted at Middleburg. Aldie was the first in a series of small battles along the Ashby's Gap Turnpike in which Stuart's forces successfully delayed Pleasonton's thrust across the Loudoun Valley, depriving him of the opportunity to locate Lee's army.