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

Battle of Brandy Station

Attacking the St. James Church Line

Photographed by Mark P Brock-Cancellieri, November 23, 2025

1. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

Inscription.

Battle of Brandy Station. Attacking the St. James Church Line. As the fighting intensified throughout the morning, Union Gen. John Buford brought the remainder of his wing from the Army of the Potomac's cavalry corps across Beverly's Ford. Buford "pushed to the front to examine the country and to find out how matters stood." Finding stiff resistance on his left around St. James Church, Buford decided to attack. He assigned the task to Maj. Robert Morris and the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry., "One company advanced as skirmishers," wrote an officer in the regiment, Maj. Henry Whelan. "Two squadrons followed as support. We charged their squadron front... through a severe artillery fire." The 6th Pennsylvania rode "almost up to the mouths" of Maj. Robert Beckham's guns, Buford wrote after the battle. During the assault, Morris had this hose shot from under him and was captured. He later died in Richmond's Libby Prison., Four squadrons of the 6th United States Cavalry under Capt. George Cram rode within supporting distance of Morrison on his left. Cram remembered his regimented "advanced through the woods in front under a heavy fire of shell till reaching the open beyond, when it promptly charged the enemy. Owing to the overpowering numbers opposed to it, and being exposed to a heavy artillery fire at close range on its left, the regiment was compelled to retire." Broken and battered by the attack, both regiments retreated from the field. The Confederate position at St. James Church held firm., "And with a shout that makes the woods ring, our brave boys of the Sith Pennsylvania...dash across the pain on the to the foe. The wildest enthusiasm has seized our men, and at the full speed of their horses they dash forward." - Chaplain Samuel Gracey, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, USA, (captions) , From this vicinity, Civil War sketch artist Alfred Waud sketched this image of the assault at St. James Church. At upper left you can see the white house, home to Mary Gee. The Gee house stood just across Beverly's Ford Road from the parking lot. - Courtesy Harper's Weekly, Although the Confederates repulsed the attack of the 6th Pa and 6th U.S. cavalry regiments, fighting continued near St. James Church. Gen. Wade Hampton's brigade extended the Confederate line beyond your far left. Union infantry supporting Buford under Gen. Adelbert Ames deployed inside the far wood line behind you.

As the fighting intensified throughout the morning, Union Gen. John Buford brought the remainder of his wing from the Army of the Potomac's cavalry corps across Beverly's Ford. Buford "pushed to the front to examine the country and to find out how matters stood." Finding stiff resistance on his left around St. James Church, Buford decided to attack. He assigned the task to Maj. Robert Morris and the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

"One company advanced as skirmishers," wrote an officer in the regiment, Maj. Henry Whelan. "Two squadrons followed as support. We charged their squadron front... through a severe artillery fire." The 6th Pennsylvania rode "almost up to the mouths" of Maj. Robert Beckham's guns, Buford wrote after the battle. During the assault, Morris had this hose shot from under him and was captured. He later died in Richmond's Libby Prison.

Four squadrons of the 6th United States Cavalry under Capt. George Cram rode within supporting distance of Morrison on his left. Cram remembered his regimented "advanced through the woods in front under a heavy fire of shell till reaching the open beyond, when it promptly charged the enemy. Owing to the overpowering numbers opposed to it, and being exposed to a heavy artillery fire at close range on its left, the regiment was compelled to retire." Broken and battered by

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the attack, both regiments retreated from the field. The Confederate position at St. James Church held firm.

"And with a shout that makes the woods ring, our brave boys of the Sith Pennsylvania...dash across the pain on the to the foe. The wildest enthusiasm has seized our men, and at the full speed of their horses they dash forward." - Chaplain Samuel Gracey, 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, USA

(captions)
From this vicinity, Civil War sketch artist Alfred Waud sketched this image of the assault at St. James Church. At upper left you can see the white house, home to Mary Gee. The Gee house stood just across Beverly's Ford Road from the parking lot. - Courtesy Harper's Weekly

Although the Confederates repulsed the attack of the 6th Pa and 6th U.S. cavalry regiments, fighting continued near St. James Church. Gen. Wade Hampton's brigade extended the Confederate line beyond your far left. Union infantry supporting Buford under Gen. Adelbert Ames deployed inside the far wood line behind you.

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° 31.57′ N, 77° 52.048′ W. Marker is in Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper

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County. It is at the intersection of St James Church Road and Brandy Downs Lane, on the right when traveling north on St James Church Road. 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 markers are within walking distance of this marker: The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. James Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.2 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. 0.3 miles away); Lee's Forgotten Warrior (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brandy Station.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Battle of Brandy Station (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Brandy Station. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on November 30, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2025, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 55 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on November 29, 2025, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.