Major General John Buford was a Union Cavalry officer during the Civil War, with a prominent role at the start of the Battle of Gettysburg. In the Gettysburg Campaign, Buford, who had been promoted to command of the 1st Division, is credited with selecting the field battle at Gettysburg. He was acutely aware of the importance of holding the tactically important high ground about Gettysburg and in doing so, began one of the most iconic battles in American history.