Battle of Brandy Station

Battle of Brandy Station. Wyndham's Attack. Union Lt. Col. Percy Wyndham advanced his command from Brandy Station and centered his attack on this spot. To your right, the 1st New Jersey Cavalry ascended the slope. The 1st Maryland Cavalry occupied the center, and to your left, circling around the southern base of Fleetwood Hill, the 1st Pennsylvania Cavalry galloped toward the eastern crest. Just before Federal troopers reached the summit, the 12th Virginia Cavalry charged up from the other side, rode over this plateau, and smashed into the 1st New Jersey. The determined New Jerseyans were not to be denied, however, and they slashed aside the 12th Virginia, triumphantly gaining the summit. The 12th Virginia lost its battle flag in the savage fighting, the only regimental standard to be captured that day., The 35th Battalion Virginia Cavalry and the 6th Virginia, both of Gen. William E. Jones's Brigade, galloped up the northern slopes and joined the fight. The struggle swung wildly back and forth between Jones's Brigade and Wyndham's Brigade. Tactical cohesion fell apart as officers were killed. Choking, swirling dust filled the hot morning air, making it difficult to discern friend from foe., "As we dashed fiercely into them, saber in hand, they broke like a wave on the bow of a ship, and over and through them we rode, sabering as we went. By Jove, sir, that was a charge!" , , Adj. Marcus Kitchen, 1st New Jersey Cavalry, USA, "A hard gallop had enabled only the leading files of the 12th Virginia to reach the top of the hill, but with the true spirit of a forlorn hope, Colonel Harmon and the few men around him dashed at the advancing Federals." , , Maj. Henry B. McClellan, Stuart's adjutant, CSA