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Small but Important Riots: The Cavalry Battles of Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville
June 1863. The American Civil War was two years old, and the U.S. Army in Virginia was in chaos. Reeling after the recent defeat at Chancellorsville, the Federals, especially the Cavalry Corps, scrambled to regroup. Confederate general Robert E. Lee seized the moment to launch a second invasion of the North. As Lee slipped away, frantic Federal leaders asked, “Where are the Rebels?” At this critical moment, the much-maligned Federal cavalry stepped to center stage.
Small but Important Riots is a tactical study of fighting from June 17 to 22, 1863, at Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville, placed within the strategic context of the Gettysburg campaign. It is based on Robert O’Neill’s thirty years of research and access to previously unpublished documents, which reveal startling new information.
Since the fighting in Loudoun Valley of Virginia ended in June 1863, one perspective has prevailed—that Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton, who commanded the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, disobeyed orders. According to published records, Pleasonton’s superiors, including President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, and army commander Joseph Hooker, ordered Pleasonton to search for General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia during a critical stage of the Gettysburg campaign, and Pleasonton ignored their orders. Recently discovered documents—discussed in this book—prove otherwise.
Small but Important Riots is a tactical study of fighting from June 17 to 22, 1863, at Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville, placed within the strategic context of the Gettysburg campaign. It is based on Robert O’Neill’s thirty years of research and access to previously unpublished documents, which reveal startling new information.
Since the fighting in Loudoun Valley of Virginia ended in June 1863, one perspective has prevailed—that Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton, who commanded the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, disobeyed orders. According to published records, Pleasonton’s superiors, including President Abraham Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, and army commander Joseph Hooker, ordered Pleasonton to search for General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia during a critical stage of the Gettysburg campaign, and Pleasonton ignored their orders. Recently discovered documents—discussed in this book—prove otherwise.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published October 28, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 23, 2026
This is story of "three" cavalry battles (actually at least double that, depending how you count) you've probably never heard. It shouldn't even be described as three (or more) different battles, anymore than Gettysburg should be described as the Battle of Seminary Ridge on July 1, the Battle of Little Round Top on July 2, etc. I would argue this series of engagements deserves to be called the Second Battle of the Loudoun Valley. The First Battle of the Loudoun Valley was fought in early Nov 1862 and is generally referred to as the Battle of Unison or Battle of Union, and is even more forgotten but it was the finally straw leading to McClellan being fired. But I digress.
Five days of fighting in Virginia, during which Middleburg changed hands seven times. JEB Stuart, Alfred Pleasonton, Strong Vincent (of subseqent Gettysburg fame), Hampton, Buford, Kilpatrick, Custer. The severe wounding of Stuart's colorful Prussian aide, Heros von Borcke. Despite the difficult topography, there were some fierce saber-to-saber cavalry clashes. Yet sandwiched between the titanic clashes at Brandy Station and Gettysburg, these were engagements fought by regiments and brigades rather than corps, with casualties measured in the hundreds instead of the thousands, with complicated and inclusive results. Not bloody enough to make hallowed ground, not triumphant enough for either side to be celebrated. And yet: consequences.
Stuart, already hot from criticism over Brandy Station, fought the kind of defense-in-depth trading-space-for-time delaying action, only to be criticized by his peers and the press. Yet he achieved a strategic victory: the Union had no intelligence on the Shenandoah Valley for five days and only had a very small amount at the end.
Pleasanton, commanding engaged cavalry in the field for about the only time, emerges as a complicated general, worthy of praise 0ne hand and criticism on the other. Trying to do the correct thing, but doing in badly. Similarly complicated is Judson Kilpatrick, portrayed here as a more polarizing figure - both Old Kil and KilCavalry.
Most importantly, cavalry on both sides is worn down by this fighting, and the Union cavalry had not properly rested and refitted after Stoneman's Raid and Brandy Station. This will shown during the rest of the Gettysburg Campaign.
The book is well-researched (a passion project by the author over more than three decades), although there are places where clearly the source material is lacking a bit, despite decades of effort by the author. It seems the events before and after overshadowed some of what happened here in the minds of the men involved too. The book is brisk read, with the solid writing aided by many short chapters. The maps are okay. Endnotes are extensive and include commentary.
Strongly recommended to Civil War buffs - a hidden gem about events that events you will find in little detail anywhere else.
Five days of fighting in Virginia, during which Middleburg changed hands seven times. JEB Stuart, Alfred Pleasonton, Strong Vincent (of subseqent Gettysburg fame), Hampton, Buford, Kilpatrick, Custer. The severe wounding of Stuart's colorful Prussian aide, Heros von Borcke. Despite the difficult topography, there were some fierce saber-to-saber cavalry clashes. Yet sandwiched between the titanic clashes at Brandy Station and Gettysburg, these were engagements fought by regiments and brigades rather than corps, with casualties measured in the hundreds instead of the thousands, with complicated and inclusive results. Not bloody enough to make hallowed ground, not triumphant enough for either side to be celebrated. And yet: consequences.
Stuart, already hot from criticism over Brandy Station, fought the kind of defense-in-depth trading-space-for-time delaying action, only to be criticized by his peers and the press. Yet he achieved a strategic victory: the Union had no intelligence on the Shenandoah Valley for five days and only had a very small amount at the end.
Pleasanton, commanding engaged cavalry in the field for about the only time, emerges as a complicated general, worthy of praise 0ne hand and criticism on the other. Trying to do the correct thing, but doing in badly. Similarly complicated is Judson Kilpatrick, portrayed here as a more polarizing figure - both Old Kil and KilCavalry.
Most importantly, cavalry on both sides is worn down by this fighting, and the Union cavalry had not properly rested and refitted after Stoneman's Raid and Brandy Station. This will shown during the rest of the Gettysburg Campaign.
The book is well-researched (a passion project by the author over more than three decades), although there are places where clearly the source material is lacking a bit, despite decades of effort by the author. It seems the events before and after overshadowed some of what happened here in the minds of the men involved too. The book is brisk read, with the solid writing aided by many short chapters. The maps are okay. Endnotes are extensive and include commentary.
Strongly recommended to Civil War buffs - a hidden gem about events that events you will find in little detail anywhere else.
August 7, 2023
This covers a much washed over series of cavalry fights during the movement north for the Gettysburg Campaign. Shortly after the battle of Brandy Station, the two armies continue north, one seeking out the other. In an attempt to find the rebel infantry before it attacks General Hooker, he sends his cavalry out again, but this time to hold the mountain passes. The mismanagement of the cavalry, a disobedient officer, and an aggressive new general all spell a wild mix of small running battles in the Loudoun Valley of Virginia.
Usually taking up a sentence or two in most writing of the campaign, this book shows that the growth of the union cavalry was a ongoing process. It also shows in a way why Hooker was relieved. I would most certainly recommend to any cavalry or Gettysburg fans!!!
Usually taking up a sentence or two in most writing of the campaign, this book shows that the growth of the union cavalry was a ongoing process. It also shows in a way why Hooker was relieved. I would most certainly recommend to any cavalry or Gettysburg fans!!!
January 14, 2024
Excellent coverage of the cavalry fights leading up to Lee’s invasion of PA, when Hooker still feared a flank attack in northern VA. The writing is excellent, blending strategic overview with exciting combat descriptions of the chaotic cavalry clashes. The author is obviously a complete master of the subject and it shows. Not only Gettysburg aficionados but anyone interested in cavalry operations would gain from reading this book.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews