Alfred Pleasonton

Alfred Pleasonton was a U.S. Army officer and general of Union cavalry during the American Civil War. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (674x1024, 70 KB) Library of Congress Civil War collection File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (674x1024, 70 KB) Library of Congress Civil War collection File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... A General is an officer of high military rank. ... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... Kircholm, a 1925 painting by Wojciech Kossak. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederate) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties Killed in action: 110,000 Total dead: 360,000 Wounded: 275,200 Killed in action: 93,000 Total dead: 258...

Pleasonton was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Stephen and Mary Hopkins Pleasonton. Stephen was well known at the time of Alfred's birth. During the War of 1812, as a U.S. State Department employee, Stephen's personal initiative saved crucial documents in the National Archives from destruction by the British invaders of Washington, including the original Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. However, while working as a U.S. Treasury Department employee, he was involved in scandals in the 1830s involving corruption in awarding of contracts for government lighthouses, which turned out to have substandard construction and began deteriorating prematurely. He was investigated by the U.S. Congress, which cited his "lethargy and maladministration" and led to his dismissal in 1852, casting a pall over the family reputation. (The administration of U.S. lighthouses was transferred to a nine-member Lighthouse Board, which, ironically, included Alfred's future commander during the coming Civil War, George G. Meade.) Flag Seal Nickname: DC, The District Motto: Justitia Omnibus (Justice for All) Location Location of Washington, D.C., with regard to the surrounding states of Maryland and Virginia. ... Combatants United States United Kingdom Strength United States Regular army : 99,000 Volunteers: 10,000* Rangers: 3,000 Militia: 458,000** Naval and marine: 20,000 Indigenous peoples New York Iroquois: 600 Northwestern allies: ? Southern allies: ? United Kingdom Regular army: 10,000+ Naval and marine: ? Canadian militia: 86,000+** Indigenous... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ... More than one country maintains a national archive: The Canadian Library and Archives Canada The New Zealand Archives New Zealand (formerly National Archives) The United States National Archives and Records Administration The United Kingdom National Archives This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might... U.S. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is the document in which the Thirteen Colonies declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ... Page I of the Constitution of the United States of America Page II of the United States Constitution Page III of the United States Constitution Page IV of the United States Constitution The Syng inkstand, with which the Constitution was signed The Constitution of the United States is the supreme... The United States Department of the Treasury is a Cabinet department, a treasury, of the United States government established by an Act of U.S. Congress in 1789 to manage the revenue of the United States government. ... Events and Trends Electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael Faraday Dutch-speaking farmers known as Voortrekkers emigrate northwards from the Cape Colony Croquet invented in Ireland Railroad construction begins in earnest in the United States Egba refugees fleeing the Yoruba civil wars found the city of Abeokuta in south-west Nigeria... The Peggys Point lighthouse in Nova Scotia, Canada An aid for navigation and pilotage at sea, a lighthouse is a tower building or framework sending out light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire. ... The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States of America. ... 1852 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... George Gordon Meade (December 31, 1815 - November 6, 1872) was an American military officer during the American Civil War. ...

Alfred's much older brother, Augustus, attended the United States Military Academy and served as Assistant Adjutant General and paymaster of the state of Pennsylvania; his career direction obviously affected his younger brother's and both boys were assured nomination to the Academy by their father's fame from the War of 1812. Alfred graduated from West Point in 1844 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Dragoons (heavy cavalry), stationed first at Fort Atkinson, Iowa. He followed his unit for frontier duty in Minnesota, Iowa, and Texas. With the 2nd Dragoons, he fought in the Mexican-American War and received a brevet promotion to first lieutenant for gallantry in the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, Texas, in 1846. He served as regimental adjutant after the war and was promoted to captain in 1855. West Point redirects here. ... Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 160 miles (255 km)  - Length 280 miles (455 km)  - % water 2. ... 1844 was a leap year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 199 miles (320 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 0. ... Official language(s) None Capital Saint Paul Largest city Minneapolis Area  Ranked 12th  - Total 87,014 sq mi (225,365 km²)  - Width 250 miles (400 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 8. ... Official language(s) English Capital Des Moines Largest city Des Moines Area  Ranked 26th  - Total 56,272 sq mi (145,743 km²)  - Width 199 miles (320 km)  - Length 310 miles (500 km)  - % water 0. ... Official language(s) See: Languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 660 miles (1,065 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Winfield Scott Stephen W. Kearney Antonio López de Santa Anna Mariano Arista Pedro de Ampudia Strength 60,000 40,000 Casualties KIA: 1,733 Total dead: 13,283 Wounded: 4,152 25,000 killed or wounded (Mexican government estimate) The Mexican-American... In the US military, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank. ... First Lieutenant is a military rank. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Mariano Arista Strength 2,400 3,400 Casualties 5 killed 43 wounded 102 killed 129 wounded The Battle of Palo Alto was the first major battle of the Mexican-American War and was fought on May 8, 1846 on disputed ground five miles... At the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, one of the early engagements of the Mexican-American War, Zachary Taylor engaged the retreating forces of the Mexican Army of the North under Gen. ... Official language(s) See: Languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 660 miles (1,065 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Captain is both a nautical term and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

At the start of the Civil War in 1861, Captain Pleasonton traveled with the 2nd Dragoons from Fort Crittenden, Utah, to Washington. Despite active politicking on his part, attempting to capitalize on the faded political connections of his now-disgraced father (who had died in 1855), Pleasonton did not earn the rapid promotions of some of his colleagues and was promoted only to major by early 1862. He fought without incident or prominence in the Peninsula Campaign and was finally promoted to brigadier general on July 16, 1862, commanding a brigade of cavalry in the Army of the Potomac. 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Official language(s) English Capital Salt Lake City Largest city Salt Lake City Area  Ranked 13th  - Total 84,876 sq. ... 1855 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Major is a military rank denoting an officer of mid-level command status. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... McClellan and Johnston of the Peninsula Campaign The Peninsula Campaign (also known as the Peninsular Campaign) of the American Civil War was a major Union operation launched in southeastern Virginia from March through July 1862, the first large-scale offensive in the Eastern Theater. ... A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... July 16 is the 197th day (198th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 168 days remaining. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Generals Burnside, Hancock, Couch, Ferro, Patrick, Wilcox, Cochrane, Buford and others. ...

On September 2, Pleasonton assumed division command in the cavalry and was wounded by an artillery shell at the Battle of Antietam. Ever ambitious, Pleasanton was displeased that he was not promoted to major general of volunteers for his actions, claiming erroneously that his division, and particularly the horse artillery assigned to him, had had a decisive effect on the battle. (He did receive a brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army, probably based solely on the inflated claims of his battle report, which were not substantiated by the reports of other generals.) September 2 is the 245th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (246th in leap years). ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders George B. McClellan Robert E. Lee Strength 87,000 45,000 Casualties 12,401 (2,108 killed, 9,540 wounded, 753 captured/missing) 10,316 (1,546 killed, 7,752 wounded, 1,018 captured/missing) The Battle of Antietam (also... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... The Regular Army is the name given to the permanent force of the United States Army that is maintained during peacetime. ...

At the Battle of Chancellorsville, Pleasanton continued his practice of self-promotion. He claimed that he temporarily halted an attack by Stonewall Jackson's Corps and that he was able to prevent the total destruction of the Union XI Corps on May 2, 1863. He was persuasive enough that the commander of the Army of the Potomac, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, told President Abraham Lincoln that Pleasanton "saved the Union Army" at Chancellorsville. Battle reports, however, indicate that Pleasanton's role was considerably less important than he claimed, involving only a small detachment of Confederate infantry on Hazel Grove. Nevertheless, his claims earned him a promotion to major general of volunteers as of June 22, 1863, and when the inept Cavalry Corps commander, Maj. Gen. George Stoneman, was relieved after Chancellorsville, Hooker named Pleasanton as his temporary replacement. Pleasonton could not accept even this elevated role gracefully. He wrote to Gen. Hooker "I cannot ... remain silent as to the unsatisfactory condition in which I find this corps ... the responsibility of its present state ... does not belong to me." Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Joseph Hooker Robert E. Lee Stonewall Jackson† Strength 133,868 60,892 Casualties 16,839 (1,574 killed, 9,554 wounded, 5,711 missing) 13,156 (1,683 killed, 9,277 wounded, 2,196 missing) The Battle of Chancellorsville was... Stonewall Jackson Thomas Jonathan Stonewall Jackson (January 20 or 21[1], 1824–May 10, 1863) was an American teacher and soldier. ... The 21st Michigan Infantry, a company of Shermans veterans. ... The XI Corps (Eleventh Corps) was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War, best remembered for its humiliating defeats at the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg in 1863. ... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Portrait of Joseph Hooker Joseph Hooker (November 13, 1814 – October 31, 1879), known as Fighting Joe, was a career U.S. Army officer and a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. ... The presidential seal was used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... For other uses of the name Abraham Lincoln, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation) Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865), sometimes called Abe Lincoln and nicknamed Honest Abe, the Rail Splitter, and the Great Emancipator, was the 16th President of the United States (1861 to 1865), and the first president... Some Confederate soldiers The Confederate States Army (CSA) was formed in February 1861 to defend the Confederate States of America, which had itself been formed that same year when seven southern states seceded from the United States (with four more to follow). ... June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... 1863 (MDCCCLXIII) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar). ... Categories: Stub | 1822 births | 1894 deaths | Governors of California ...

Pleasonton's first combat in his new role was a month later in the Gettysburg Campaign. He led Union cavalry forces in the Battle of Brandy Station, the largest cavalry battle of the war. The Union cavalry essentially stumbled into J.E.B. Stuart's Confederate cavalry and the 14-hour battle was bloody but inconclusive, although Stuart was embarrassed that he had been surprised and the Union horsemen had a newfound confidence in their abilities. Subordinate officers criticized Pleasonton for not aggressively defeating Stuart at Brandy Station. Gen. Hooker had ordered Pleasonton to "disperse and destroy" the Confederate cavalry near Culpeper, Virginia, but Pleasonton claimed that he had only been ordered to make a "reconnaissance in force toward Culpeper", thus rationalizing his actions. It can be debated whether or not Pleasonton acted as a competent Cavalry commander during the events leading up to Gettysburg, but a number of things should be taken into consideration: One, For the first time, and under Pleasonton's command, Union Cavalry forces battled Jeb Stuart to a standstill, even defeating him in the first stages of the Brandy Station Battle. Two, Pleasonton may have failed to locate Lee's main force as it moved North along the Blue Ridge towards Pennsylvania, but recent histories of Union Army Intelligence credited Pleasonton for keeping Stuart's Cavalry preoccupied, with fierce battles at Aldie and Middleburg. Also, because Pleasonton did scout along the Blue Ridge perimeter, he kept Lee's forces much further to the west than the Confederate commander liked. Which leads to the third point. With Stuart's cavalry occupied by the slashing, charging forces led by Pleasonton's subordinates, John Buford, H. Judson Kilpatrick, and George Custer, the flamboyant Confederate Cavalry commander was unable to stay close to Lee's main formation, thus causing much fretting and great anguish for the Gray Fox. Meade and Lee of Gettysburg Gettysburg Campaign (through July 3); cavalry movements shown with dashed lines. ... The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry engagement on the North American continent. ... James Ewell Brown Stuart (February 6, 1833 – May 12, 1864) was an American soldier from Virginia and a Confederate Army general during the American Civil War. ... Culpeper is a town located in Culpeper County, Virginia. ...

 During this period, he attempted to exercise political influence by promoting the son of a U.S. Congressman, Captain Elon J. Farnsworth, a member of his staff, directly to brigadier general. Pleasonton corresponded with the congressman and complained about his lack of men and horses in comparison to Jeb Stuart's; he also politicked to acquire the cavalry forces of Maj. Gen. Julius Stahel, who commanded the cavalry in the defenses of Washington. The machinations worked. Stahel was relieved of his command and his troopers were reassigned to Pleasonton. It was also during this time period that Pleasonton, ever the capable talent scout, promoted Farnsworth, and future Union Cavalry greats Custer and Wesley Merritt to General rank. There is no evidence that Hooker was dismayed over Pleasonton's political activities, on the contrary, it was Hooker who appreciated Pleasonton's talents as a cavalry leader and appointed him in the first place. However, Hooker chose to resign his command on June 28, 1863, right on the eve of the Gettysburg battle, to be replaced by a nemesis of Pleasonton's, George Gordon Meade, who held no great appreciation for the Union cavalry. 

In the Battle of Gettysburg, Pleasanton's new commander, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, understood Pleasonton's reputation (and his father's) and kept him on a short leash. For the three days of the battle, Pleasonton was forced to remain with Meade at army headquarters, rather than with the Cavalry Corps headquarters nearby, and Meade exercised more direct control of the cavalry than an army commander normally would. This would prove detrimental, more so to Meade than to Pleasonton. For example, Meade seriously considered deployed John Buford's division along the Round Tops after the first day of battle. Buford insisted that his men were worn out after encountering the early Confederate arrival, and needed to be regroup and re-fitted. Pleasonton okayed Buford's request, with the proviso that a company of cavalry be deployed to the area covered by Dan Sickles' 3rd Corps. Pleasonton has been criticized for removing Buford and thus exposing Sickles' front to Longstreet, however, it is hard to see what Buford's mounted cavalry could have done along the wooded and boulder-strewn front except to increase the rolls of dead and wounded Union personnel. In this case, Pleasonton's actions saved a crack Union Cavalry division from certain ruin. Pleasonton's cavalry acumen, so lacking in Meade, may have also prevented the Union Left flank from being turned right at the decisive final battles. As Pickett began his charge, Jeb Stuart, finally arriving on the battlefield, rode east with 6000 cavalry to get behind the Union lines. Pleasonton, having received word of Stuart's deployment from the Union XI Corps, countermanded the order issued to George Custer and his brigades to return to the vicinity of the Round Tops, and act in conjunction with David McMurtrie Gregg's Second Union Cavalry in stopping Stuart. In the recent work, "Lost Triumph", Military Historian Tom Carhart alledges that it was this decision by Pleasonton to keep Custer where he was that really stopped Lee's grand plan for defeating the Union at Gettysburg, a plan involving Stuart acting in tandem with Pickett. While Pleasonton may have exaggerated in other matters (In postwar writings, Pleasonton alledged that he was the first to tell Meade that the town of Gettysburg would be the decisive point and, after the Confederate defeat in Pickett's Charge, that he urged Meade to attack Gen. Lee and finish him off. He conveniently made these claims after Meade's death, when dispute was impossible), it has to be said that when given a free hand, his judgments were sound. Pleasonton too, cannot be blamed for the unfortunate cavalry action on July 3, when Meade ordered the division of Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick to attack the right flank of the Confederate army, which resulted in a suicidal assault against entrenched infantry and the futile death of Elon Farnsworth. It is Meade who once again dropped the ball here. Meade, skeptical of cavalry, refused to order the fresh troops of 5th and 6th Corps to move down from the Round Tops in support of the joint actions of Merritt and Kilpatrick-Farnsworth. If he had, and with Merritt initially successful in driving the Confederates back over a mile, with the possibility of turning the Confederate flanks in the wake of Pickett's defeat, that third day at Gettysburg might not just have ended as a turning point, but the war itself might have ended right then and there. The House of Representatives is the larger of two houses that make up the U.S. Congress, the other being the United States Senate. ... Elon John Farnsworth (July 30, 1837 – July 3, 1863) was a Union Army cavalry general in the American Civil War, killed at the Battle of Gettysburg. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America Commanders George G. Meade Robert E. Lee Strength 83,289 75,054 Casualties 23,049 (3,155 killed, 14,529 wounded, 5,365 captured/missing) 28,000 (3,500 killed, 18,000 wounded, 6,500 captured/missing) The Battle of... George Gordon Meade (December 31, 1815 - November 6, 1872) was an American military officer during the American Civil War. ... Map of Picketts Charge, July 3, 1863. ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Hugh Judson Kilpatrick (1836-1881) Hugh Judson Kilpatrick (14 January 1836 near Deckertown, New Jersey – 4 December 1881 in Santiago, Chile) was a officer in the Union army during the American Civil War achieving the rank of Brevet Major General, the United States Minister to Chile, and a failed political...

Pleasonton acted capably throughout the fall campaigns, but chose to speak out against Judson Kilpatrick's reckless raid on Richmond in March 1864, deemed it to be "not feasible". The raid was approved by Abraham Lincoln, and sanctioned, if not approved by Meade. Meade too, was further angered by Pleasonton's decision to testify against him at the Senate hearings into the conduct of the war. With U.S. Grant wanting a fresh slate, Meade urged the new Union commander to dismiss Pleasonton, which was done, even though Grant really didn't know what Pleasonton was able to accomplish, and even acknowledged that in his memoirs. Meade would have cause to regret this decision, as it brought in Phil Sheridan, a hard nut case to crack, and someone who unlike Pleasonton, had the ear of the Union Commander-in-Chief.

Pleasonton was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Theater and commanded the District of Central Missouri and the District of St. Louis in 1864. He performed well and defeated Gen. Sterling Price at Westport and Marais des Cygnes, ending the last Confederate threat in the West. Westport, occurring virtually at the same time Sheridan routed Jubal Early at Cedar Creek, was the last major battle in the Transmissippi West. Sheridan won great praise for Cedar Creek, after all, it was in the main theatre of operations, but Pleasonton, directing the Union forces opposing Sterling Price, and shattering the Confederates, never received similiar acclaim for a greater accomplishment. He received a brevet promotion to brigadier general in the regular army for the campaign in Missouri, and to major general for his overall conduct in the war, both as of March 13, 1865. Official language(s) None Capital Jefferson City Largest city Kansas City Largest metro area St. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Gateway City, Gateway to the West, or Mound City Location Location in the state of Missouri Coordinates , Government Country State County United States Missouri Independent City Mayor Francis G. Slay (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 66. ... 1864 (MDCCCLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... General Price Sterling Old Pap Price (September 20, 1809 – September 29, 1867) was an antebellum politician from the U.S. state of Missouri and a Confederate major general during the American Civil War. ... The Battle of Little Blue River was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on October 21, 1864 in Jackson County, Missouri. ... This article needs cleanup. ... March 13 is the 72nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (73rd in leap years). ... 1865 (MDCCCLXV) is a common year starting on Sunday. ...

After the war, as part of the general reduction of all officers' ranks, Pleasonton reverted to major and, dissatisfied with his command relationship to former subordinates, resigned his commission in 1868. As a civilian, he worked as U.S. Collector of Internal Revenue and as Commissioner of Internal Revenue, but he was asked to resign from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (now the Internal Revenue Service) after he lobbied Congress for the repeal of the income tax and quarreled with his superiors at the Treasury Department. Refusing to resign, he was dismissed. He served briefly as the president of the Terre Haute and Cincinnati Railroad. 1868 (MDCCCLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ... The Commissioner of Internal Revenue, or IRS Commissioner, is the head of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. ... Seal of the Internal Revenue Service The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the United States government agency that collects taxes and enforces the tax laws. ...

Alfred Pleasonton died in his sleep in Washington, D.C., and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery there, alongside his father. The town of Pleasanton, California, was named for Alfred in the 1850s; a typographical error by a U.S. Postal Service employee apparently led to the spelling difference. On the huge Pennsylvania Memorial at the Gettysburg Battlefield stands a statue of General Pleasonton. However, it is likely that this represents Alfred's brother, Augustus, who was a general in the Pennsylvania militia at the time of the battle. Official website: http://www. ... // Events and Trends Technology Production of steel revolutionised by invention of the Bessemer process Benjamin Silliman fractionates petroleum by distillation for the first time First transatlantic telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed by Elisha Otis Science Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species, putting forward the theory of evolution... A USPS Truck at Night A U.S. Post Office sign The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the United States government organization responsible for providing postal service in the United States and is generally referred to as the post office. ... Gettysburg Map The Gettysburg Battlefield was the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, fought in 1863 in and around the borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the county seat of Adams County, which had approximately 2,400 residents at the time. ...

Pleasonton should be remembered for turning the Union Cavalry around, his own character flaws and all. He led them at Brandy Station, directed them as best as he could despite Meade's interference at Gettysburg, was responsible for keeping Custer with General Gregg's command, thus ensuring the decisive stopping of Jeb Stuart as he tried to pry open the Union Left. He should also be credited for his talent scout abilities, bringing John Buford, (who alas, died in the winter of 1863), Wesley Merritt, and George Custer to high command. Both Merritt and Custer were wisely retained by Phil Sheridan. In smashing Sterling Price's command, Pleasonton kept Kansas and Missouri in the Union camp, and prevented all possible future Confederate incursions from Texas. How he would have commanded under the aegis of Grant is something Historians free from prejudices are still debating. Grant however had his own protege, Sheridan, in mind, and Meade was no doubt very happy to see Pleasonton dismissed. Thus Alfred Pleasonton faded into relative obscurity, while Phil Sheridan emerged among the pantheon of Union leaders.

References

• Carhart, Tom, "Lost Triumph", 2005, pp. 186-87, p. 196. Pleasonton did at one point approve Kilpatrick's demand that Custer return to his command, but countermanded that order upon receiving a plea from General Gregg that Stuart's Cavalry were deploying along his front at Cress Ridge and Rummel Farm.
• Custer, Andie (Spring 2005). "The Knight of Romance". Blue & Gray magazine, p. 7.
• Eicher, John H., & Eicher, David J.: Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
• Grant, U.S. "Personal Memoirs", 1885, Vol. II, p.414 (Konecky Edition)
• Wittenberg, Eric, "Gettysburg's Forgotten Cavalry Actions". Wittenberg, like fellow Union Cavalry Historian Edward Longacre and Ms. Custer, is less than flattering in his description of Pleasonton's character. However he does acknowledge that it was Kilpatrick, who sent in Merritt, then Farnsworth, piecemail, and sending Farnsworth along the wooded and boulder-strewn front where Meade considered sending Buford two days before, thus ensuring a Union defeat.

Alan Rockman, Civil War Historian, and admirer of Alfred Pleasonton as a Cavalry Commander.