Brandy Station in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Brandy Station
The Winter Camp of 1863-1864
Meade's headquarters tents sprawled over the hill's northern spur, a half-mile distant. The Third Corps headquarters sprang up here, on southern Fleetwood. The Third Corps tents spread out around Stevensburg, the Fifth Corps at Rappahannock Station, the Sixth Corps over northern Fleetwood, and the First Corps in and around Culpeper Court House. Three cavalry divisions established a mounted picket line that surrounded the army and extended as far north as Warrenton. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assumed command of all United States armies and arrived here in April 1864 to accompany the Army of the Potomac on its spring 1864 campaign. On May 4, the rejuvenated and well-trained Army of the Potomac departed Fleetwood Hill forever to begin the Overland Campaign. The Wilderness waited.
"There was something fascinating about our winter city of 100,000 men. History should know that our military service did not consist entirely of being shot at, or trying to shoot the other man."
—Maj. Thomas W. Hyde, staff officer, Sixth Corps, USA
"The one thing that we suffered the most from, the hardship hardest to bear, was hunger. The scantiness of the rations was something fierce. We never got a square meal that winter. We were always hungry."
—Pvt. William M. Dame, Richmond Howitzers, From the Rapidan to Richmond (1920)
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 year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 38° 30.569′ N, 77° 52.768′ W. Marker is in Brandy Station, Virginia, in Culpeper County. Marker 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.
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 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 29, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2016, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 628 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 5, 2016, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2019, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.