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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near Remington in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic) |
Kelly’s Ford
Cavalry and Coffee
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By Kevin White, August 30, 2007 | |
| | | 1. Kelly's Ford Marker | | |
Inscription. Pickets of the opposing armies frequently exchanged gunfire over the Rappahannock River and occasionally swapped Yankee coffee for Rebel tobacco. On St. Patrick’s Day, 1863, they did both here at Kelly’s Ford, about 100 yards downstream from the bridge.
On this day the cavalry commands of two friends and former West Point classmates, Union Gen. William Averell and Confederate Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, clashed for nearly twelve hours in this vicinity. Averell crossed the ford into Culpeper County with orders to destroy Lee’s brigade of Virginia cavalry encamped near here. His division succeeded in driving the Virginians back two miles along present-day Route 674 toward Elkwood. The day-long battle was notable for its numerous mounted saber charges, dismounted skirmishing and the mortal wounding of the “gallant” John Pelham, J.E.B. Stuart’s fearless young artillery commander.
Although Averell retreated back over the Rappahannock as nightfall approached, he was delighted by the pluck and skill demonstrated by his Federal troopers, so much maligned in the past.
“He is in such high spirits that he leaves a package for Fitzhugh Lee at the river ford. Lee had left a note for his old classmate following the Rebel raid near Hartwood Church. It read, ‘If you won’t go home, return my visit and bring | | | | 
By Kevin White, August 30, 2007 | |
| | | 2. Kelly's Ford and Battle of Brandy Station Markers | | View is from the north side of the Rappahannock River, facing south toward the new bridge. | | |
me a sack of coffee.’ Averell has replied, “Dear Fitz: Here’s your coffee. Here’s your visit. How do you like it?’” —from Seasons of War by Daniel Sutherland [1995]. By Permission of The Free Press, a Division of Simon & Shuster.
(caption under large picture) The Kelly’s Ford cavalry clash was marked by fierce hand to hand combat. Drawing from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated History of the Civil War.
(caption under the map) The battle progressed in stages from the river to Elkwood. At nightfall, Gen. Averell withdrew across the river. Although technically a Confederate victory, the battle resulted in 146 Southerners killed, wounded and missing compared to a Federal loss of 85.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 38° 28.64′ N, 77° 46.955′ W. Marker is near Remington, Virginia, in Fauquier County. Marker is at the intersection of Kelly's Ford Road (Virginia Route 674) and Kelly's Ford Road (Virginia Route 620), on the right when traveling south on Kelly's Ford Road. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Remington VA 22734, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are | | | | 
By Craig Swain, March 17, 2013 | |
| | | 3. Markers at New Location | | |
within 4 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. The Battle of Brandy Station (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Kelly's Ford (here, next to this marker); Kelly's Ford (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of Kelly’s Ford (approx. half a mile away); Major John Pelham, C.S.A. (approx. 0.8 miles away); "Chestnut Lawn" (approx. 1.5 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Kelly's Ford (approx. 3.1 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Kelly's Ford (approx. 3.1 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Remington.
More about this marker. This marker, along with two others, was relocated to a spot on the south side of the river in 2011.
Also see . . . Detailed NPS battle description and battlefield tour. National Park Service Battlefield Tour directions. This is Stop 1, but the sign may have changed since this was last updated. From this spot, turn right and cross the bridge, then turn right on Rt. 674 and follow directions to the next stop. (Submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
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By Kevin White, August 30, 2007 | |
| | | 4. Map of the March 17, 1863 Kelly's Ford clash. | | |
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By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007 | |
| | | 5. The Site of Kelly's Ford | | Downstream from the bridge is the historical location of Kelly's Ford. The ford road ran through the ground occupied by Kelly's Ford Inn. | | |
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By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007 | |
| | | 6. Cavalry Battles | | Some of the final actions of the battle of Kelly's Ford occurred in the fields to the southwest along Kelly's Ford Road (County Route 674). | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,574 times since then. Last updated on April 12, 2011, by Jonathan Carruthers of Bealeton, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 6, 2013, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on November 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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