Brigadier General John Buford was born in Kentucky in 1828 to Anne Bannister Buford and John Buford Sr. In 1834 his mother died during a cholera epidemic. That year Buford Sr. moved the family to Stephenson Illinois, known today as Rock Island just a few miles downstream and across the Mississippi River from where I right this. His father owned a small grocery store on the levee. His father discribed the exterior of the store as looking like a "fancy man's shirt."

Buford's father won election to the Illinois State Legislature in 1842. Two years later Buford Jr was appointed to West Point where he excelled in horsemanship. He graduated in 1848.

In 1854 Buford married Martha McDowell Duke. They had two childern, James born in July 1855 and Pattie born in October 1857.

He saw some action along the frontier and in the expedition against the Mormons in Utah in 1857-1858. When on campaign he was known to prefer well worn uniforms and kept a pipe and tobacco in a pocket.

After staff duty in the Washington defenses he obtained a position on Pope's staff in northern Virginia. He was rewarded with a brigadier's star and command of a brigade of cavalry. While leading this at 2nd Bull Run he suffered a wound. The next spring he was commanding the Reserve Brigade, which was composed mainly of regular army units, and took part in Stoneman's raid during the Chancellorsville Campaign. He directed the division at Brandy Station, Aidie, Middleburg, and Upperville.

In August 1863 Buford became ill and days later learned of his daughter Pattie's death. He was given a ten day leave to return home to Georgetown, Kentucky. When he arrived at home he found two other family members had also died. After returning to the fighting his illness grew worse and had to relinquish his command on November 21, 1863. He died in Washington on December 16, 1863, of typoid fever and is buried at West Point. His commission as major general of the volunteers was presented to him on his deathbed.