Culpeper in Culpeper County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Opening of the Gettysburg Campaign
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 7, 2026
1. Opening of the Gettysburg Campaign Marker
Erected 2024 by Virginia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number F 13.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 8, 1863.
Location. 38° 29.42′ N, 77° 55.973′ W. Marker is in Culpeper, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It is on Brandy Road (Virginia Route 762) 0.3 miles west of Review Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
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, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Betty Washington (approx. 0.3 miles away); Angel of Mercy (approx. 2.2 miles away); Brandy Station World War II Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); U.S. Colored Troops In The Overland Campaign (approx. 2.3 miles away); In Memory of Major John Pelham (approx. 2.4 miles away); a different marker also named Opening of the Gettysburg Campaign (approx. 2.4 miles away); Walls That Talk (approx. 2.4 miles away); The 1863-64 Winter Encampment (approx. 2½
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 7, 2026
2. Opening of the Gettysburg Campaign Marker
Note the railroad to the right; it was this feature that brought the Confederate cavalry to this area in the first place.
Regarding Opening of the Gettysburg Campaign. The marker is just southeast of the hillock where Lee reviewed Stuart's cavalry. The core area for the final cavalry review is just north of the marker along both sides of Brandy Road, extending north across Jonas Run up to Auburn farm and east past Brandy Station proper.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Opening of the Gettysburg Campaign".
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 7, 2026
3. Lee's Hillock
This rise, just west of modern VA 672 and about 1,000' northwest of the marker, is reputed to be the hill from which Gen. Lee viewed the June 8th review. The view of the review ground from this hillock today is obscured by the trees in the background.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 7, 2026
4. Auburn Farm
All three of the reviews described on the marker were held on the acreage of prominent Unionist John Minor Botts' farm "Auburn," won from the James A. Beckham in a card game. The main residence, built ca. 1843 (local lore says 1820), is at left. The house in the foreground at right is the house built for Auburn's tenant farmer in 1850, though the wing closest to the road (and thus must prominent here) was added in 1915. The reviews would have stretched to the left and swirled around this hill.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 7, 2026
5. Auburn
View of the Botts House without the tenant house in view. Officers milled about this house and camped upon its grounds prior to the reviews and departing for Gettysburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 84 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
