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

Battle of Brandy Station

The largest cavalry action of the war

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 14, 2015

1. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

Inscription. Following his stunning victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee formulated a plan to invade the North. In preparation for his army's secret withdrawal from Fredericksburg, Lee ordered his cavalry into Culpeper County to screen and protect the impending shift of his infantry and artillery toward the Shenandoah Valley. Federal cavalry, just across the Rappahannock River to the north, discovered the presence of Southern horsemen here.

Union Gen. Joseph Hooker, commander of the Army of the Potomac, promptly ordered his Cavalry Corps under Gen. Alfred Pleasonton to "disperse and destroy" the enemy cavalry. At dawn June 9, 1863, Federal cavalry boldly attacked Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry division around Fleetwood Hill and came within a whisker of defeating the Confederate mounted forces. At the end of the day, Union cavalry withdrew across the Rappahannock River. With more than 20,000 soldiers fighting it was the largest cavalry action of the war - and one that also began the fateful Gettysburg Campaign. Roughly 1,500 men were killed, wounded, or captured in this momentous clash.

"On June 9, 1863,
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there was fought a cavalry battle the influence of which was so great and far reaching that it must always hold a place in the annals of American cavalry." - Gen. David M. Gregg, Cavalry Corps, USA

"A great drama was about to begin, to end the conclusive struggle of the war, but at this moment came the sudden clash in Culpeper, precluding the thunder at Cemetery Hill." - Capt. John Esten Cooke, Cavalry Division, CSA

Erected 2015 by Virginia Civil War Trails.

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° 30.566′ N, 77° 52.748′ W. Marker is near Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It is on Fleetwood Heights Road (County Route 685), on the right when traveling east. 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 North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Opposing Generals image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 14, 2015

2. Opposing Generals

Portraits of Gens. Pleasonton and Stuart in the upper center of the marker.

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

Also see . . . Fleetwood Hill Preservation.

Cavalry Charge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 14, 2015

3. Cavalry Charge

In the lower left of the marker, a newspaper illustration depicts "Union Gen. John Buford's cavalry charge at Brandy Station." From Harper's Weekly, July 4, 1863.

On October 26, 2015, Civil War Trust formally opened the interpretive trail on Fleetwood Hill. The Trust has led efforts over several decades to preserve the battlefield of Brandy Station. The purchase of the southern crest of Fleetwood Hill, in 2013, was a significant victory in that effort. This marker is the "trailhead" for an interpretive trail across the most historic hilltop. (Submitted on December 11, 2015, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Map on the Right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 14, 2015

4. Map on the Right

The movements that resulted in the Battle of Brandy Station climaxed in a fierce clash here on Fleetwood Hill. Walk the short interpretive trail that loops around the crest to learn more about this historic plateau.

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 14, 2015

5. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

Photographed by Benjamin Harrison Allen, June 9, 2024

6. Battle of Brandy Station Marker

The marker has been replaced with a new one.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2015, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 992 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 11, 2015, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on June 12, 2024, by Benjamin Harrison Allen of Amissville, Virginia.