Near Brandy Station in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Norman's Mills Ford
Photographed by Pete Payette, May 8, 2017
1. Norman's Mills Ford Marker
In 1863, during the Battle of Brandy Station, the Union's Col Duffie and his cavalry force (3000) was denied a crossing here by a small group of Confederate soldiers (who had been routed on Hansboro Ridge) and made a wild dash for Norman's Mills Ford. There soldiers from the 4th VA had a lone cannon (12 pounder-Napoleon) positioned to prevent the use of the ford. In addition to the cannon, the Confederates had riflemen in the canal (used as a trench) which ran on the north edge and for the entire length of the Mt. Run Bottom.
Col Duffie apparently was not aware of the obvious fact that horses could not cross Mt. Run (except at a ford) and this made Mt. Run just as effective a natural barrier as the Rappahannock River. He was turned back from here and followed Gen. Gregg's route, finally arriving in Brandy Stastion (sic) after the fighting was over. His men never fired a shot in Brandy Station.
The ford was used by a Stevensburg church until the mid 1950s, for baptismal purposes.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
this page online
Location. 38° 27.27′ N, 77° 53.856′ W. Marker is near Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It can be reached from Stevensburg Road south of Coles Hill Road, on the left when traveling south. Located within Lenn Park, near the picnic area alongside Mountain Run. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18063 Stevensburg Road, Brandy Station VA 22714, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Hold at Mountain Run (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hansborough Ridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Brandy Station (approx. half a mile away); The Civil War in Stevensburg (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named The Civil War in Stevensburg (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named The Civil War in Stevensburg (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named The Civil War in Stevensburg (approx. one mile away); Battlefield Preservation (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brandy Station.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Opening of the Wilderness Campaign (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. A second marker describing the battle action here
Photographed by Pete Payette, May 8, 2017
2. Norman's Mills Ford
Photographed by Pete Payette, May 8, 2017
3. Remnants of mill race and dam.
The modern bridge (CR 663) is to the right just out of view.
Photographed by Pete Payette, May 8, 2017
4. Old mill race and dam.
Photographed by Pete Payette, May 8, 2017
5. View from the ford towards the site of Duffie's attempted crossing further downstream.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,380 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 20, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
