The Battle of Baltimore Cross Roads, also known as the Battle of Gettysburg Junction, occurred on July 4, 1863, during the American Civil War. The engagement was part of Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania, which was intended to disrupt Union supply lines and gather intelligence on Union troop movements.

Stuart’s forces, numbering around 4,500 cavalrymen, encountered a Union force of around 3,000 soldiers near Baltimore Cross Roads in Virginia. The Union troops, under the command of Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick, had been sent to intercept Stuart’s raiders and prevent them from reaching Pennsylvania.

The battle saw fierce fighting as the Confederate cavalry attempted to break through the Union lines and continue their raid. However, the Union forces were able to hold off the Confederate attack and force them to withdraw. The battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with the Confederates suffering around 200 casualties and the Union suffering around 100.

The Battle of Baltimore Cross Roads was significant in that it prevented Stuart’s cavalry from completing their mission of gathering intelligence on Union troop movements. The engagement also demonstrated the effectiveness of Union cavalry tactics and helped to bolster the morale of Union soldiers, who had recently suffered a defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Overall, the Battle of Baltimore Cross Roads was a small but important engagement in the larger context of the Civil War. It highlighted the importance of cavalry in warfare and demonstrated the bravery and determination of those who fought in the conflict. The battle is remembered as one of the many important events that shaped the course of the war and the history of the United States.