The Bufords of Virginia and Kentucky

Studying both the Revolution and Civil War, I often find fascinating connections. I’ve known about Gen. John Buford’s cavalry action at Gettysburg. I’ve also known about Col. Abram Buford’s activity in the Revolution. Recently I learned about another Buford, a Confederate officer. I never thought to look into if these men are related. They are!

Abram Buford was born in Culpeper County, Virginia in 1747. He was active in the Revolution from the start, raising militia in 1775 and rising to the rank of Colonel. In 1778 he took command of the 11th Virginia Regiment, then later the 3rd Virginia in April, 1780.

At the time the British were moving against Charleston, SC, and Buford’s force marched south from Virginia to reinforce the garrison. They never made it. The city fell to the British in mid-May, and Buford’s small column turned around, having just entered South Carolina.

Knowing that the Americans were on the way, British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton rode north from Charleston to catch them. This force, the British Legion, consisted of American loyalists clad in green coats. They caught up to Buford’s troops on May 29 in a region known as the Waxhaws. What happened next was one of the most infamous, and controversial, events of the war.

Tarleton called on Buford to surrender but he refused. The young, aggressive cavalry commander then led his troops in a charge. The Virginians hastily formed into a line of battle and fired. Tarleton’s horse was hit and fell, but he was unscathed. Seeing him go down, his men became enraged, assuming he was killed. The Americans were quicky overrun, and many were killed while trying to surrender. Eventually the killing stopped, but over 300 Americans were killed or wounded. Thereafter the term “Tarleton’s Quarter” meant killing men as they surrendered.

Buford himself escaped and was found not responsible for the disaster. He continued to serve and was present at Yorktown. He later settled in Kentucky, having received land in reward for his service. There Abram Buford got involved in raising and racing horses. He died in 1833.

Abram’s brother Simeon also fought in the Revolution, serving in the cavalry under Henry “Lighthorse” Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee. Like Abram, he also moved west to Kentucky after the war. Simeon’s grandsons included Napoleon Bonaparte and John, both Union officers in the Civil War. Another descendant was Abraham Buford, a future Confederate general.

Napoleon Bonaparte Buford (I love nineteenth century names!) attended West Point then served eight years in the artillery, resigning in 1835. He subsequently worked in iron manufacturing, banking, and railroading. When the war broke out he was appointed colonel of the 27th Illinois, fighting at Belmont, Missouri. He then commanded the “Flotilla Brigade” during the Battle of Island Number Ten, a force of infantry serving on the gunboats on the rivers. He then led a brigade at Corinth, and in late 1862 served on the court-martial of Major General Fitz John Porter. Buford then served as commander of the District of East Arkansas until the war’s end. Afterwards he managed railroads.

John Buford attended West Point like his brother Napoleon. During the Civil War John led a brigade of cavalry during the Second Manassas Campaign, where he was wounded. He was also at Antietam and later served in Stoneman’s Raid. By the time of Chancellorsville John Buford led a division. He fought at Brandy Station and Upperville, and most famously at Gettysburg. He fell ill in the fall of 1863, possibly from typhoid, and died at age thirty-seven. President Lincoln promoted him to Major General just before he died, and he is buried at West Point.

Napoleon and John’s cousin, Abraham, served in the Confederate cavalry. Abram the Continental officer was their common great uncle. The three men all lived close by in Kentucky before the war started. Like his cousins Abraham attended West Point.

Abraham served on the frontier and in the Mexican War, where he was cited for bravery at Buena Vista. When the Civil War began he tried to stay out of it, but eventually joined Confederate forces. By September, 1862 he led a brigade of Kentucky Cavalry during the Confederate invasion of his state. He was then in the battle of Champion Hill. At Brice’s Crossroads under Forest he was wounded. He also fought at Nashville in the winter of 1864.

By April, 1865 he led a division in Forest’s command. After the war he returned to his home state, and bred thoroughbreds. He became depressed with the deaths of his son, wife, and brother, and took his own life in 1884.