McVicar, Duncan, 1827-1863

<p>That night Lt.Col. Duncan McVicar's 6th New York Cavalry was moving west when they ran into Stuart's command of Virginia cavalry on the same road moving east. They met on the road to the Spotsylvania Court House, near the Henry Alsop house. Stuart's outriders were fired upon and rode back telling him they were under attack by Yankees. Prussian aide-de-camp Hero Von Borke rode ahead to investigate. Moments later he came flying back, crouched low over his horse's neck, firing his pistol into the darkness behind. Stuart beat a hasty retreat to Todd's Tavern, where he could gather his thoughts and document the enemy's strength and movements. Stuart ordered Fitzhugh Lee to find out how many Yankees were on the road. Lee sent the 5th Virginia as outriders and followed with his whole brigade.</p>

<p>After the brush with Confederate cavalry, McVicar knew trouble was coming, and his unit was not strong enough to fight stirrup to stirrup action. Dismounting his men, he formed skirmish lines in Alsop's field which was surrounded by a fence and accessible only through a gate. The 6th New York waited facing the gate. In the dark, the 5th Virginia entered Alsop's gate in a column of fours. Carbine fire slammed into them stopping them as they entered. Leaving the dead and dying, they withdrew. Stuart ordered more men forward but they were also stalled at the gate by Yankee small arms fire.</p>

<p>McVicar realized he was badly outnumbered and more Confederates were arriving all the time. If he stayed, his command would be annihilated. He mounted his men, drew his saber, and charged the disarrayed Southerners, intent on forcing his way through and back to his own lines. The Confederates had rallied somewhat, and were pushing toward the opening. Von Borke saw the 6th NY charge the gate. Confederate and Union cavalry collided in a crash of horseflesh and steel. While leading the charge, McVicar fell with a pistol ball through his heart. The Union survivors broke through. Stuart hurled the 2nd Virginia cavalry at the Union troopers, splitting the Union command. Many were captured; some escaped; and many died. But their efforts slowed up the spectacular J.E.B. Stuart and kept him from immediately joining Lee a few miles away.</p>