Near Brandy Station in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The 1863-64 Winter Encampment

The Calm Before the Storm

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 18, 2010

1. The 1863-64 Winter Encampment Marker

Inscription.

The 1863-64 Winter Encampment. The Calm Before the Storm. , The 1863-1864 winter encampment proved a busy time for the Army of the Potomac. "There was something fascinating about our winter city of 100,000 men," a staff officer recalled. "Many pleasant recollections cluster around the old camp at Brandy Station... history should know that our military service did not consist entirely of being shot at or trying to shoot at the other man." , Thousands of new recruits joined the army and learned how to be soldiers. For members of the "old" regiments, the issue of re-enlisting was of great interest; those who decided to sign on for "three more years" - or until the end of the war - were treated to a 30-day furlough, a $300 bounty, and special veteran stripes for their uniforms. Soldiers grumbled over the unpopular abolition of the First and Third Corps and the transfers of their regiments into other corps., In March 1864, following his appointment as general-in-chief of all the Union armies, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant came to Culpeper County. Although George Meade continued to command the Army of the Potomac, Grant chose to make his headquarters in the field with his army and directed operations until the end of the war., Not two months later, in early May 1864, the men of the Army of the Potomac packed their knapsacks, fell into line, and left these camps for good. On May 4, they crossed the Rapidan River and marched to the Wilderness. Before the momentous and bloody Overland Campaign ended, nearly half of those who had spent the winter at Brandy Station would be dead or wounded., Help Preserve Battlefields . call CWPT at 1-888-606-1400 . www.civilwar.org . The Hallowell Foundation generously contributed toward the interpretation of this site in memory of Carrington Williams. , This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

The 1863-1864 winter encampment proved a busy time for the Army of the Potomac. "There was something fascinating about our winter city of 100,000 men," a staff officer recalled. "Many pleasant recollections cluster around the old camp at Brandy Station... history should know that our military service did not consist entirely of being shot at or trying to shoot at the other man."

Thousands of new recruits joined the army and learned how to be soldiers. For members of the "old" regiments, the issue of re-enlisting was of great interest; those who decided to sign on for "three more years" - or until the end of the war - were treated to a 30-day furlough, a $300 bounty, and special veteran stripes for their uniforms. Soldiers grumbled over the unpopular abolition of the First and Third Corps and the transfers of their regiments into other corps.

In March 1864, following his appointment as general-in-chief of all the Union armies, Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant came to Culpeper County. Although George Meade continued to command the Army of the Potomac, Grant chose to make his headquarters in the field with his army and directed operations until the end of the war.

Not two months later, in early May 1864, the men of the Army of the Potomac packed their knapsacks, fell into line, and left these camps for good. On May 4,

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they crossed the Rapidan River and marched to the Wilderness. Before the momentous and bloody Overland Campaign ended, nearly half of those who had spent the winter at Brandy Station would be dead or wounded.

Help Preserve Battlefields • call CWPT at 1-888-606-1400 • www.civilwar.org • The Hallowell Foundation generously contributed toward the interpretation of this site in memory of Carrington Williams.
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.

Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1864.

Location. 38° 31.641′ N, 77° 51.91′ W. Marker is near Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It can be reached from the intersection of Beverly Ford Road (County Route 677) and St. James Church Road (County Route 676), on the left when traveling north. Located at the second trail stop for the St. James Church Walking Trail of the Battle of Brandy Station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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

Close Up: Photo of "Farley" House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, September 18, 2010

2. Close Up: Photo of "Farley" House

markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Battle of Brandy Station (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (about 800 feet away); St. James Episcopal Church (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lee's Forgotten Warrior (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brandy Station.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Battle of Brandy Station (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a photograph of "The 1864 winter encampment of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry was located near Brandy Station. Note the barrels used as chimneys." On the right is an inset captioned, "During the winter of

Stop Two on the St. James Church Walking Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

3. Stop Two on the St. James Church Walking Trail

1864, many staff officers used nearby homes for their headquarters. Sixth Corps Commander General John Sedgwick used "Farley" house as his headquarters."

Regarding The 1863-64 Winter Encampment. This is one of several markers interpreting the Battle of Brandy Station and the winter encampments of 1863-64 in Culpeper County. See the Battle of Brandy Station Virtual Tour by Markers linked below for additional related markers.

Also see . . . Battle of Brandy Station Virtual Tour by Markers. A set markers that document the Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863, and the Winter Encampment of 1863-64. Note the order of appearance is geographic and not chronologically aligned to the battle. (Submitted on January 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

A View Around the Brandy Station Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

4. A View Around the Brandy Station Battlefield

The fields around this area were part of both the Battle of Brandy Station and the later Army of the Potomac encampment.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,513 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on January 22, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2011, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on December 24, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.