Near Kelly's Ford in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Kelly's Ford
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 1, 2009
1. Kelly's Ford Marker
At this site in 1863 the federal forces charged across the river to begin the Battle of Kelly's Ford & Brandy Station. Traces of the ford & John P. Kelly's toll, 1837 to 1862, may still be seen at this point.Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 38° 28.545′ N, 77° 46.722′ W. Marker is near Kelly's Ford, Virginia, in Culpeper County. Marker can be reached from Edwards Shop Road, on the right when traveling south. Located along the banks of the Rappahannock River in a small plot of ground held by the Civil War Preservation Trust. See commentary to see the best ways to visit this marker location. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Remington VA 22734, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Kelly’s Ford (approx. ¼ mile away); The Battle of Kelly's Ford (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Kelly’s Ford (approx. half a mile away); Major John Pelham, C.S.A.
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. Access to the Site
There are two ways to access the site. For those who prefer to see more of the ground, park at the boat ramp at the modern Kelly's Ford bridge. A short trail along the Rappahannock River leads to the marker. Along the way are several earthwork remains dating to the Civil War.
Visitors may drive directly to the site by way of an unmarked gravel road that passes through the Kelly's Ford Inn property. Inquire at the Inn for more details.
— Submitted August 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
2.
The boat ramp and parking area by the modern bridge is now owned by the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as part of a nearby wildlife management area, and is by permit only. Do not park here or you will
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 1, 2009
2. Kelly's Ford Marker
Beside the marker are stones from the toll bridge that Kelly operated at this site. The bridge was destroyed in 1862 as the Confederates withdrew from Northern Virginia.
— Submitted May 10, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia.
Photographed By Pete Payette, April 23, 2015
3. Kelly's Ford Marker
The river and ford site can be seen in the background, in relation to the site of the marker.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 1, 2009
4. Kelly's Ford
Location of the ford.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 1, 2009
5. Road Trace
The road met a fork just past the bridge/ford site. The trace of a road that ran south toward the Rapidan River, (Ely's and Germannia Fords) appears as a sunken cut beside the river bank. The other road ran northwest toward the Old Carolina Road, Brandy Station, and Culpeper.
Photographed By Pete Payette, April 23, 2015
6. Stone remnants along river bank.
Photographed By Pete Payette, April 23, 2015
7. Kelly's Ford Battleground Park
This site is now managed by the Inn at Kelly's Ford. Access can be obtained only by prior arrangement with the Inn. Site parking for the general public is no longer allowed at the adjacent Kelly's Ford boat ramp, which is by permit only, through the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,775 times since then and 155 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week March 17, 2013. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 20, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on August 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6, 7. submitted on May 20, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia.
