Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, screening Lee’s invasion route, sparred with Pleasonton’s cavalry. On the June 17, Col. Alfred Duffié’s isolated 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment was attacked by the brigades of Munford and Robertson. The 1st Rhode Island Cavalry was routed, taking about 225 casualties. On June 19, J. Irvin Gregg’s brigade advanced, driving Stuart’s cavalry one mile beyond the town at Mount Defiance. Both sides were reinforced and mounted and dismounted skirmishing continued. Stuart was gradually levered out of his position but fell back to a second ridge, still covering the approaches to the Blue Ridge gap.