Chapter 6 – This poem, “Buford Day 1,” focuses on Buford’s actions on July 1st,1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. His cavalry forces repulsed the first Confederate attack by two of General Henry Heth
by Christopher Rudolph © 2015
Ch 6 – Buford Day 1
Along the ridge before dawn
Down the line Buford rode
Waking boyish faces
Sleepy dreamers he goad
He climbed the Seminary ladder
Up to the cupola white
Watching the light come
Looking for the fight
Air was wet and cool
Slow soaking rain
Great trees in the mist
Lovely rolling domain
Formidable vista
He was in the right spot
When the battle began
And he heard that first shot!
Two more widely spaced
Then volley spattering blare
Through tops of smoky trees
Resounding through white air
First attack on Herr Ridge
Repulsed but they’d be back
Rebels regrouping
New line formed to attack
Charging fiercely this time
Driven bloody back again
Buford gazed off distantly
Where were Reynold’s men?
Archer’s and Davis’ brigades
Were the Rebels attacking now
Of Henry Heth’s division
Buford’s men trying not to bow
But with the rest of A.P. Hill’s Third Corps
Sure to join the attack
Ewell’s Second Corp sweeping in from the north
Too many to combat
He needed word from Reynolds
What was the latest news?
He could hold for but a couple hours
Then precious ridges he would lose
Calef’s 2d US Artillery blasted
Cannon balls did fly
Soon they were met
By Pegram’s Rebel Artillery reply
Buford called another regiment
To move forward with speed
Dig in to greet the Rebels
And really make them bleed
But the Rebel attack was fierce
Barrage of shrapnel rained
A breakthrough on the right flank patched
But Buford’s men were drained
Another breakthrough on the right
Fighting got hand to hand
Not much longer they could hold
This high tactical land
Archer’s and Davis’ brigades advanced
By 10:00 AM breaking through
Buford withdrew to McPherson’s Ridge
Pulling back the cavalry blue
Rebel cannon kept pounding
Situation quite dour
Ammunition running low
Buford had perhaps half an hour
Buford climbed back up to the cupola
Now in their time of need
Galloping gallantly with his aides
Was Reynolds on his steed
Soon Reynolds was up in the cupola
Viewing the waves of incoming gray
Buford said, “We need to keep this high ground
Or there will be the Devil to pay!”
A blue line from the South
Snaked around the bend
Iron Brigade of I Corps
Ready to contend
Toughest Union Vets
Wearing Hats Black
The rest of I Corps following
With XI Corps at their backs
Reynolds complimented Buford
For repelling the Rebel attack
As soon as I Corps deploys
Buford’s Cavalry could pull back
They must guard the North road
And watch for General Richard S. Ewell
For soon the Confederate Second Corp
Would arrive to join the duel
Reynolds sent a message to Mead
“Urgent situation
Get here fast
Or lose favorable position
Of hills beyond the town
Don’t want to retreat
Will delay them as long as possible
If necessary barricading streets”
The Iron Brigade arrived
Hardened veterans grand
Mid Westerners to the rescue
Guardians of blessed land
I Corps was not yet in place
When it rained Confederate shells
A fierce attack came through the smoke
The Screeching Rebel Yell!
General Reynolds led the Iron Brigade
A brave warrior in his saddle
Shouting orders in the chaos
Determined to win the battle
“Forward men, for God’s sake”
They needed to break the rebel line
“Drive those fellows out of the woods”
They were running out of time
Buford saw General Reynolds
Pointing to line of attack
Glanced over again
His horse was bare-backed
Reynolds lay in the dirt road
Thick bloody stain behind head
His aide crying hysterically
General Reynolds was dead
Without their grand Commander
Iron Brigade still bold
Balls and fragments bursting
Still the line they did hold
His men bloodied and weary
Buford drew back following orders
To guard against Ewell’s attack
Defending the Northern shoulder
So, off his men rode
On their weary steeds
All desperate for the arrival
Of the Union General Meade