Lee had retained several brigades to guard the mountain passes as he advanced through the Shenandoah and Cumberland Valleys and to scout Federal positions.

They hastened to Pennsylvania, crossing the Potomac River on July 1, where Jones detached the 12th Virginia Cavalry to guard the ford, and camped at Chambersburg the following night.

Reports of a slow moving Confederate wagon train in the vicinity had attracted the attention of newly commissioned Union Brig.

Informed of the presence of the enemy, Starr rode to a small ridge and dismounted his men in fields and an orchard on both sides of the road.

He threw back a mounted charge of the 7th Virginia, just as Chew's Battery unlimbered and opened fire on the Federal cavalrymen.

George C. Platt, an Irish immigrant serving in Troop H of the 6th U.S. Cavalry, was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 12, 1895, for his actions at Fairfield.

His citation reads, "Seized the regimental flag upon the death of the standard bearer in a hand-to-hand fight and prevented it from falling into the hands of the enemy."