Near Kelly's Ford in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Battle of Kelly’s Ford

Photographed by Kevin W., August 30, 2007

1. Battle of Kelly's Ford Marker

Inscription. At dawn on 17 March 1863, Brig. Gen. William W. Averell led 2,100 Union cavalrymen across the Rappahannock River at Kelly’s Ford. Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee with about 1,000 Confederate horsemen counterattacked northwest of here about noon. Noted Confederate artillerist Maj. John Pelham accompanied Lee’s men and fell mortally wounded while impetuously taking part in a charge. The battle ended in a draw, marking the first time Confederate cavalrymen had not defeated their Union opponents, resulting in new confidence for the Union cavalry. It foreshadowed another Union crossing at Kelly’s Ford during the much larger battle of 9 June 1863 at Brandy Station.

Erected 1999 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-36.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1863.

Location. 38° 28.222′ N, 77° 47.048′ W. Marker is near Kelly's Ford, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It is on Edwards Shop Road (County Route 620) south of Stones Mill Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16589 Edwards Shop Road, Remington VA 22734, 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

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least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kelly's Ford (approx. half a mile away); The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Kelly’s Ford (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of Kelly's Ford (approx. half a mile away); Major John Pelham, C.S.A. (approx. 1.2 miles away); "Chestnut Lawn" (approx. 2 miles away); Lafayette's 1781 Campaign in Culpeper (approx. 3.3 miles away); Madden's Tavern (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kelly's Ford.

Photographed by Kevin W., August 30, 2007

2. Battle of Kelly's Ford Marker

The Marker is in front of The Inn at Kelly's Ford, which can be seen in the background.

Initial Federal Advance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

3. Initial Federal Advance

Looking across the grounds of the Kelly's Ford Inn from the intersection of CR 674 and 672. The initial Federal advance came up from the ford site (in the trees on the distant left) across the fields here.

Artillery Piece near Kelly's Ford Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., August 30, 2007

4. Artillery Piece near Kelly's Ford Marker

The Inn at Kelly's Ford hosts this period piece on its property.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,003 times since then and 82 times this year. Last updated on September 1, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on August 31, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.