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

Battle of Brandy Station

Hymns and Horsemen

Photographed by Mike McKeown

1. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

Inscription.

Battle of Brandy Station. Hymns and Horsemen. , If you follow the path into the woods on the other side of the road, you will reach the site and adjoining cemetery of St. James Episcopal Church. Founded by Richard H. Cunningham and his neighbors in 1840, the two-story brick chapel served congregants in northeastern Culpepper County. Built with the assistance of slave labor; African Americans regularly attended services, sitting in the gallery., On the morning of June 9, 1863, Union cavalry under the direction of Gen. John Buford crossed the Rappahannock River at Beverly's Ford, about two miles away and opened the Battle of Brandy Station. Buford's horsemen encountered Confederate pickets along with batteries from the Stuart Horse Artillery under Maj. Robert. Beckham. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones, whose troopers camped in the area where you now stand, responded to the threat. Brutal fighting took place along Beverly's Ford Road before the Confederates eventually fell back to a position around St. James Church. Beckham placed his guns on the ridge where you now stand and extended his line to Beverly's Ford Road. The Confederates maintained this position until later in the day when Federal cavalry under Gen. David Gregg threatened their rear at Fleetwood Hill.,

"Beckham's guns…were put immediately into action, one of them being put into position by hand…before the horses were harnessed and hitched up They were finally put in position on the ridge in front of and to the right or the church.", Maj. Daniel Grimsley, 6th Virginia Cavalry, CSA

, (captions) , Gen. James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart commanded the Confederate cavalry at Brandy Station. As the battle developed Stuart left his headquarters on Fleetwood Hill to oversee the fighting at St. James Church. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Lt. Louis Carpenter of the 6th U.S Cavalry sketched this image of St. James Church during the winter encampment. His regiment dismantled the building and used the bricks to construct chimneys for their winter huts. After the war, St. James congregation moved from its former site to the hamlet of Brandy Station and established Christ Episcopal Church in 1869. - Courtesy of Clark B. Hall

If you follow the path into the woods on the other side of the road, you will reach the site and adjoining cemetery of St. James Episcopal Church. Founded by Richard H. Cunningham and his neighbors in 1840, the two-story brick chapel served congregants in northeastern Culpepper County. Built with the assistance of slave labor; African Americans regularly attended services, sitting in the gallery.

On the morning of June 9, 1863, Union cavalry under the direction of Gen. John Buford crossed the Rappahannock River at Beverly's Ford, about two miles away and opened the Battle of Brandy Station. Buford's horsemen encountered Confederate pickets along with batteries from the Stuart Horse Artillery under Maj. Robert. Beckham. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones, whose troopers camped in the area where you now stand, responded to the threat. Brutal fighting took place along Beverly's Ford Road before the Confederates eventually fell back to a position around St. James Church. Beckham placed his guns on the ridge where you now stand and extended his line to Beverly's Ford Road. The Confederates maintained this position until later in the day when Federal cavalry under Gen. David Gregg threatened their rear at Fleetwood Hill.

"Beckham's guns…were put immediately into action, one of them being put into position
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by hand…before the horses were harnessed and hitched up They were finally put in position on the ridge in front of and to the right or the church."—Maj. Daniel Grimsley, 6th Virginia Cavalry, CSA

(captions)
Gen. James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart commanded the Confederate cavalry at Brandy Station. As the battle developed Stuart left his headquarters on Fleetwood Hill to oversee the fighting at St. James Church. Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Lt. Louis Carpenter of the 6th U.S Cavalry sketched this image of St. James Church during the winter encampment. His regiment dismantled the building and used the bricks to construct chimneys for their winter huts. After the war, St. James congregation moved from its former site to the hamlet of Brandy Station and established Christ Episcopal Church in 1869. - Courtesy of Clark B. Hall

Erected by American Battlefield Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1863.

Location. 38° 31.321′ N, 77° 51.949′ W. Marker is in Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It is at the intersection of St. James Church Road (Virginia Route 676) and Beverly Ford Road ( Route 677), on the right when traveling west on

Photographed by Mike McKeown, December 31, 2023

2. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

marker at a distance

St. James Church Road. The marker stands at stop 3 of St. James church walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13181 St James Church 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: A different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (here, next to this marker); Lee's Forgotten Warrior (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (about 800 feet away); St. James Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brandy Station.

Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Brandy Station (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. Brandy Station

Signage for the church area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike McKeown, August 2, 2025

3. Signage for the church area

. American Battlefield Trust (ABT) (Submitted on March 19, 2025.)

2. St. James Church at Brandy Station. American battlefield Trust (ABT) (Submitted on March 19, 2025, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2025, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 18, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on August 2, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.