Near Brandy Station in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Brandy Station
Rooney Lee's Fighting Retreat
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.
Help Preserve Battlefields • call CWPT at 1-888-606-1400 • www.civilwar.org • The Hallowell Foundation generously contributed toward the interpretation of this site in memory of Carrington Williams.
This material is based upon work assisted by a grant from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of the Interior.
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. Marker 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.
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 The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 1.1 miles away); The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Brandy Station (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brandy Station.
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 Brandy Station and the winter encampments of 1863-64 in Culpeper County. See the Battle of Brandy Station Virtual Tour by Markers link for additional related markers.
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.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,840 times since then and 86 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.