Near Brandy Station in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Brandy Station
Rooney Lee's Fighting Retreat
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 22, 2007
1. The Battle of Brandy Station Marker
The Federal forces of Brig. Gen. John Buford, Brig. Gen. David Gregg, and Col. Thomas Devin (whose command held the area around St. James Church) had almost encircled the Confederates, though none of the Union commanders had planned it so. Unknown to the Federals another prize was also available: Gen. Robert E. Lee was visiting the Barbour House (called Beauregard) to scan the fighting on Fleetwood Hill. His capture would have been a devastating blow to the Confederacy.
By late morning, Confederate Brig. Gen. W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee pulled his forces out of the fight with Brig. Gen. John Buford's troops over the stone wall that separated the Cunningham and Green farms. Lee's forces fell back in a fighting retreat to Yew Ridge and northern Fleetwood Hill.
Battlefield terrain played a crucial role in the progress of the battle. The steep, rolling topography exhausted the mounts of the pursuing Federals. Towards the end of the afternoon, Buford calculated his men and their mounts were just too worn out to continue the fight. Fresh Confederates - the tardy brigade of Col. Thomas Munford - menaced Buford's retreat route across Beverly Ford. The Federal general decided to pull back to the ford, yielding the field to the Confederate horsemen.
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Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 32.61′ N, 77° 51.524′ W. Marker is near Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It can be reached from Beverly Ford Road (Route 676), on the right when traveling north. Located at the fifth trail stop wayside for the Buford's Knoll Walking Trail of the the Battle of Brandy Station. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.7 miles away);
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 22, 2007
2. Buford's Knoll Walking Trail Wayside Markers Four and Five
Battle of Brandy Station Virtual Tour by Markers.
A set of HMDb markers that document the Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863, and the Winter Encampment of 1863-64. Note the order of appearance is geographic and not chronologically aligned to the battle.
Click for more information.
A set of HMDb markers that document the Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863, and the Winter Encampment of 1863-64. Note the order of appearance is geographic and not chronologically aligned to the battle.
Click for more information.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Battle of Brandy Station (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (was approx. Ύ mile away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The lower left shows "Federal Captain Wesley Merritt (right) duels with Confederate Brigadier General "Rooney" Lee in The Duel on Yew Ridge by Don Stivers, courtesy of Don Stivers Publishing." On the right is a map showing Gen. "Rooney" Lee's retreat.
Regarding The Battle of Brandy Station. This is one of several markers interpreting the Battle of
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 22, 2007
3. Buford's Advance and Retreat
In the far distance on the right are the ridge lines to which Gen Buford's right flank elements advanced. Near that point they encountered Confederate Gen. Munford's Brigade, precipitating a retreat back across the hard won terrain in the foreground. This view is looking to the west of Buford's Knoll. The location of the fighting at this phase is outside the boundary of the preserved battlefield.
Also see . . .
1. Brandy Station Foundation. Through the efforts of the Brandy Station Foundation, Civil War Preservation Trust, and other organizations, over 960 acres of this battlefield have been preserved. (Submitted on December 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Battle of Brandy Station Virtual Tour by Markers. A set markers that document the Battle of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863, and the Winter Encampment of 1863-64. Note the order of appearance is geographic and not chronologically aligned to the battle. (Submitted on January 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by PaulwC3, October 5, 2013
4. View of the Brandy Station battlefield from Beauregard
Looking from the same position as senior Confederate officers toward Fleetwood Hill (center left), the scene of some of the most intense fighting of the battle.
Photographed by PaulwC3, October 5, 2013
5. Beauregard (1850)
General Robert E. Lee and other senior Confederate officers viewed the Battle of Brandy Station from this vantage point.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,820 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on October 7, 2013, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
