June 30, 1863 - Union cavalry under Brig. General John Buford enter Gettysburg

Screening the left flank of the Union advance into Maryland and Pennsylvania, the 2,700 cavalrymen of Brigadier General John Buford's division ride up from the south upon the crossroads town of Gettysburg. As Buford's men approach from the south, a brigade of Confederate infantry from North Carolina approach from the west. Their commander, Brigadier General J. Johnston Pettigrew, is on his way into town in search of supplies.

When he sees blue-clad cavalry milling about west of town, he halts his column and does an about-face. Pettigrew is under strict orders not to bring on an engagement until the Army of Northern Virginia is concentrated together. His brigade marches the eight miles back to Cashtown where he is confronted by his division commander - Major General Henry Heth - about his failure to enter Gettysburg. Pettigrew swears up and down that there is a Union force in Gettysburg. Heth, however, believes what he saw was only militia. Their corps commander, Lieutenant General A.P. Hill, sides with Heth and orders the native Virginian to return his division to Gettysburg on the morning of July 1.

Meanwhile, back in Gettysburg, Buford realizes that the Confederate army is concentrating in his direction and makes necessary arrangements to defend the crossroads town of Gettysburg until reinforcements from the Union First and Eleventh Corps can arrive to support him.

Thus, the stage is now set for the Battle of Gettysburg - 159 years ago today.