On June 29, 1863 at Westminster, Maryland, elements of the Union First Delaware Cavalry engaged the vanguard of the cavalry division of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Major General J.E.B. Stuart.  Though thoroughly lacking in experience and vastly outnumbered, companies C and D of the Delaware regiment, about 90 men in all, rode to meet the head of the rebel column of 5000 horsemen.  The brisk little cavalry fight at the junction of Main Street and the Washington Road has come to be known as Corbit’s Charge after the commander of the brave union troopers. 

During the action, two Confederate lieutenants were killed, one of whom lies buried in the cemetery of the Ascension Episcopal Church in Westminster.  Many more were wounded on both sides, and this action, though a Confederate victory, helped to impede J.E.B. Stuart’s ability to link up with Confederate infantry in Pennsylvania and was a contributing factor in the eventual defeat of Robert E. Lee’s army at Gettysburg.  By Ed Wonilowicz

Corbit's Charge Schedule for 2010

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Contact David Bloom or Ray Wetzel for more details.