“The Battle of Aldie” is not a major event in any Civil War list. But the monument there to the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, erected in 1888, was the first commemorating the action of Union forces constructed south of the Mason-Dixon line after the Civil War.
We visited the small site in Aldie, Virginia (about 20 miles from Manassas) a few days ago during one of our “escape the pandemic, go for a drive in the country” escapades. It seems that Confederate cavalry commander General JEB Stuart and his men were shielding Lee’s movement north toward Pennsylvania on June 17, 1863. They were spotted by forces commanded Judson “Kill Cavalry” Kilpatrick, and several hours of fighting ensued.
The 1st Massachusetts suffered significant casualties, and survivors and families gained agreement from the town to erect a small monument there. An explanatory placard is nearby. Below are images of the placard and the monument.
GENE SCHMIEL, CIVIL WAR HISTORIAN, AUTHOR, AND LECTURER 