M.A. Kleen

As Brig. Gen. H. Judson Kilpatrick and Col. Thomas T. Munford’s troopers clashed around Aldie, Virginia, Brig. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton, commander of the Army of the Potomac’s cavalry corps, sent Franco-American Col. Alfred N.A. Duffie and his 1st RI Cavalry Regiment on a reconnaissance mission deep into enemy territory. Duffie and his troopers stumbled upon J.E.B. Stuart’s headquarters in Middleburg the afternoon of June 17, 1863 and sent Stuart and his staff running for the hills. Duffie, perhaps not realizing how outnumbered he was, barricaded the town and prepared to defend it. That evening, Confederate reinforcements surrounded and destroyed his regiment–80% became casualties.