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

Battle of Brandy Station

Kilpatrick's Attack

Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, September 5, 2016

1. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

Kilpatrick's Attack

Inscription. Col. H. Judson Kilpatrick formed his brigade on an open plateau to the southeast of Fleetwood Hill, 900 yards from here. He soon received orders to support Lt. Col. Percy Wyndham's Brigade, now fiercely engaged with Gen. William E. Jones's Brigade on the crest. The Orange & Alexandria Railroad tracks (built on a high bed in 1854) lay between Wyndham and the hill, presenting a steep hurdle. Kilpatrick instructed the 10th New York Cavalry to move forward diagonally toward Fleetwood Hill with the 2nd New York galloping close behind and to its right. As the two regiments traversed the tracks, leading elements of Confederate Gen. Wade Hampton's Brigade counterattacked.

When the New Yorkers fell back in confusion, Kilpatrick urgently summoned his remaining regiment, the 1st Maine Cavalry. Swinging his saber wildly over his head, Kilpatrick ordered the men of Maine to sweep around the right of the New York regiments and "save the day." With the brigade band striking up a jaunty air, the 1st Maine ascended directly toward this point, and their bold charge cleared Fleetwood of Confederate troopers. As they set off in pursuit from the summit, however, the Maine regiment left Fleetwood Hill behind, open and exposed, and others soon staked a claim to this "famous plateau."

"Men of Maine, you must save the day! Your regiment
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can do it!"
—Col. H. Judson Kilpatrick, quoted by Capt. Charles W. Ford, 1st Maine Cavalry, USA

"The enemy's charge broke us all to pieces and we lost all organization and sought safety in flight."
—Pvt. John Opie, 6th Virginia Cavalry, CSA

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails, Civil War Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 1863.

Location. 38° 30.569′ N, 77° 52.768′ W. Marker is in Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It is at the intersection of Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) and Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east on Fleetwood Heights 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: A different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (here, next to this marker); a different

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 26, 2019

2. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (here, next to this marker); George C. Hupp (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brandy Station.

View From The Marker Position image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 18, 2016

3. View From The Marker Position

Kilpatrick's attack against Fleetwood Hill would have occurred in these fields.

Brandy Station Battlefield: Fleetwood Hill Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, January 26, 2019

4. Brandy Station Battlefield: Fleetwood Hill Sign

Photographed by Benjamin Harrison Allen, June 8, 2024

5. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

The marker has been updated with new logos.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2016, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 812 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on December 8, 2025, by Mark P. Brock-Cancellieri of Baltimore, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2016, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on February 18, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 5. submitted on June 12, 2024, by Benjamin Harrison Allen of Amissville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.