War has many faces and the residents of Culpeper County saw them all. Brandy Station played an important role in the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863, though the Union and Confederate armies never clashed in the streets of the little town. A . . . — — Map (db m4427) HM
Near Beverly Ford Road (County Route 677) at St. James Church Road (County Route 676), on the left when traveling north.
The 1863-1864 winter encampment proved a busy time for the Army of the Potomac. "There was something fascinating about our winter city of 100,000 men," a staff officer recalled. "Many pleasant recollections cluster around the old camp at Brandy . . . — — Map (db m190831) HM
On Beverly Ford Road (County Route 677) at St. James Church Road (County Route 676), on the left when traveling north on Beverly Ford Road. Reported permanently removed.
On the night of December 1, 1863, following its unsuccessful advance against Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the Mine Run Campaign, a cold and tired Army of the Potomac withdrew across the Rapidan River and returned to . . . — — Map (db m280448) HM
Near Stevensburg Road (Virginia Route 663) 0.4 miles south of Carrico Mills Road, on the left when traveling south.
On February 11, 1864, a petite New Jersey Quaker woman who had just turned 24 stepped off a train at Brandy Station and made her way into the massive 1863-1864 winter camp of the Army of the Potomac that covered the rolling hills in front of you. . . . — — Map (db m280435) HM
On James Madison Highway (U.S. 15/29) south of Berry Hill Road, on the right when traveling south.
Here on 9 June 1863, the largest cavalry battle in North America occurred when 9,500 troopers fought 8,000 cavalrymen under Union Brig. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton. This daylong battle, the opening engagement of the Gettysburg campaign, erupted when the . . . — — Map (db m2574) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (County Route 685), on the right when traveling east.
Greatest cavalry battle of the Civil War Fought June 9, 1863 Gen. J.E.B. Stuart defeated Gen. A. Pleasonton Confederates engaged 10,200. Federals 10,900 Casualties, Confederates, 485, Federals 866 This is Fleetwood Hill The crucial position . . . — — Map (db m289405) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) 0.7 miles east of Alanthus Road ( Route 663), on the right when traveling east.
The wing under Union Brig. David Gregg crossed Kelly's Ford at 6:00 A.M., discovering the direct route to link up with the wing that crossed at Beverly Ford blocked. But scouts
discovered the Confederates had neglected to guard the road leading to . . . — — Map (db m239190) HM
On St James Church Road at Brandy Downs Lane, on the right when traveling north on St James Church Road.
As the fighting intensified throughout the morning, Union Gen. John Buford brought the remainder of his wing from the Army of the Potomac's cavalry corps across Beverly's Ford. Buford "pushed to the front to examine the country and to find out how . . . — — Map (db m289356) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east on Fleetwood Heights Road.
On the evening of June 8, 1863, Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and his headquarters staff camped on the northern edge of Fleetwood Hill. Early the next morning, heavy gunfire from the direction of Beverly's Ford (three miles to your left rear), . . . — — Map (db m97490) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane when traveling east on Fleetwood Heights Road.
Driven from Fleetwood Hill, the Union cavalry pulled back toward the Rappahannock River and halted just beyond cannon range. Observing that the sullen Federals refused to depart, Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart consolidated his defensive line around . . . — — Map (db m97494) HM
Near Beverly Ford Road 0.8 miles north of St James Church Road, on the left when traveling north.
Welcome to the Brandy Station battlefield. If you stood here on June 9, 1863, you would have beheld a scene of terrible carnage as horsemen in blue and gray clashed in the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War. you could have seen cavalrymen . . . — — Map (db m280452) HM
On Beverly Ford Road (County Route 676), on the right when traveling north.
Both Union and Confederate armies used horse artillery to assist cavalry. When firing erupted at Beverly Ford on the morning of June 9, 1863, Major Robert F. Beckham's battalion of Confederate horse artillery (16 guns and some 500 men) was . . . — — Map (db m281057) HM
On St James Church Road (Virginia Route 676) 0.2 miles west of Beverly Ford Road ( Route 677), on the right when traveling west.
Across the field on the knoll stood Union army commander Gen. George G. Meade's headquartersthe heart of the Army of the Potomac during the winter of 1863-1864. Appointed to the position just 19 days after the Battle of Brandy Station, Meade . . . — — Map (db m289267) HM
Near Beverly Ford Road (County Route 677) at St. James Church Road (County Route 676), on the left when traveling north.
By 7 a.m. on June 9, Brig. Gen. John Buford had his Union troops in position. Brig. Gen. Adelbert Ames' Federal brigade of infantry straddled the Beverly Ford Road. To Ames' left (where the airport is now) was the 1st Cavalry Division, commanded by . . . — — Map (db m202996) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east on Fleetwood Heights Road.
Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart realized that his headquarters here was overrun and that Gen. William E. Jones's Brigade was fighting to survive. Stuart ordered Gen. Wade Hampton's Brigade to fall back from the St. James Church line and recapture . . . — — Map (db m97495) HM
On St. James Church Road (Route 676) at Beverly Ford Road (Route 677), on the right when traveling west on St. James Church Road. Reported permanently removed.
Several hundred yards behind you, in the copse of trees, is the site of the St. James Church. Union soldiers tore down the small brick structure for materials to make their quarters during the winter of 1863-1864, when the Army of the Potomac . . . — — Map (db m289354) HM
Near Beverly Ford Road 0.8 miles north of St James Church Road, on the left when traveling north.
In addition to it's rich Civil War history, Culpepper County has a deep connection to the American Revolution. When the British parliament implemented the Stamp Act in 1765, requiring colonists to pay a tax on various forms of paper, Culpepper's . . . — — Map (db m280478) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) near Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east.
John Strode, a prominent Revolutionary War gun manufacturer, built his manor house, Fleetwood, in the late 1700s. Strode was a friend of President Thomas Jefferson, who often stayed here when traveling between Monticello and Washington, D.C. The . . . — — Map (db m97488) HM
Near Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east.
The commanding view from Fleetwood Hill rendered this “Famous Plateau” an ideal observation post during the war. Today the view looks much as it did in the 1860s.
1. STONY MOUNTAIN
The headwaters of the Rapidan River flow from . . . — — Map (db m131546) HM
Near Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east.
The commanding view from Fleetwood Hill rendered this “Famous Plateau” an ideal observation post during the war. Today the view looks much as it did in the 1860s.
1. COLES HILL
During the winter of 1864, Federal Second Corps . . . — — Map (db m154527) HM
On St. James Church Road (Virginia Route 676) at Beverly Ford Road ( Route 677), on the right when traveling west on St. James Church Road.
If you follow the path into the woods on the other side of the road, you will reach the site and adjoining cemetery of St. James Episcopal Church. Founded by Richard H. Cunningham and his neighbors in 1840, the two-story brick chapel served . . . — — Map (db m289352) HM
Near Stevensburg Road south of Coles Hill Road, on the left when traveling south.
After crossing at Kelley's Ford, Col. Duffie's division on their way to Stevensburg, were met by a small Confederate force just east of Stevensburg, on Hansboro Ridge. Duffie's huge force easily pushed through the Confederates who were badly . . . — — Map (db m103532) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east on Fleetwood Heights Road.
Col. H. Judson Kilpatrick formed his brigade on an open plateau to the southeast of Fleetwood Hill, 900 yards from here. He soon received orders to support Lt. Col. Percy Wyndham's Brigade, now fiercely engaged with Gen. William E. Jones's Brigade . . . — — Map (db m289760) HM
Near Beverly Ford Road (Route 676), on the right when traveling north.
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 . . . — — Map (db m4418) HM
On St James Church Road west of Beverly Ford Road, on the right when traveling west.
Welcome to the Brandy Station battlefield. If you stood here on June 9, 1863, you would have beheld a scene of terrible carnage as horsemen in blue and gray clashed in the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War. You could have seen the Union . . . — — Map (db m280449) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) 0.7 miles east of Alanthus Road ( Route 663), on the right when traveling east.
The ridge ahead of Fleetwood Hill; headquarters of Confederate cavalry commander Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart on the eve of the June 9, 1863 battle of Brandy Station. Confederate horsemen did not expect to fight that day, but instead begin a movement . . . — — Map (db m290048) HM
On Beverly Ford Road (County Route 676), on the right when traveling north. Reported permanently removed.
Rivers and river crossings played an important role in many Civil War battles, including the Battle of Brandy Station. A mile northwest of this spot is the site of Beverly Ford, where the cavalry of both the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia . . . — — Map (db m281969) HM
Near Beverly Ford Road 0.8 miles north of St James Church Road, on the left when traveling north.
"Early in the morning, I was aroused by a courier ... announcing that the enemy had crossed the river in considerable force ... I hastily collected a portion of my regiment amounting to about 150 men, and charged down the road toward Beverly . . . — — Map (db m280454) HM
On Beverly Ford Road (County Route 676), on the right when traveling north. Reported permanently removed.
On June 9, 1863, the Civil War visited the river fords, farmer's fields and rolling hills near Brandy Station. During the intense daylong fighting that swirled all around the little town, Confederate and Union horsemen clashed in the largest . . . — — Map (db m281055) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (County Route 685), on the right when traveling east.
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 . . . — — Map (db m91461) HM
On Beverly Ford Road (County Route 677) at St. James Church Road (County Route 676) on Beverly Ford Road. Reported permanently removed.
Confederate horsemen numbering 9500 under the command of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart were concentrated around Brandy Station in preparation of the upcoming raid into Pennsylvania - which would culminate at Gettysburg. The Federal army, being aware of the . . . — — Map (db m280445) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (County Route 685), on the right when traveling east. Reported missing.
Here the old Carolina Road crosses the southern part of Fleetwood Hill, some of the highest ground in the area. On the slope ahead of you Maj. Gen. James Ewell Brown (J.E.B.) Stuart, commander of Robert E. Lee's cavalry, pitched his headquarters . . . — — Map (db m4424) HM
Near Beverly Ford Road (Route 676), on the right when traveling north.
Failing to break through Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's Confederates at St. James Church, Brig. Gen. John Buford swung his force north and west to turn the Confederate left flank. Confederate Brig. Gen. William Henry Fitzhugh "Rooney" Lee, son of Robert . . . — — Map (db m167004) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (County Route 685), on the right when traveling east. Reported missing.
After Col. Wyndham's assaults, Col. Judson Kilpatrick's Federal brigade crossed the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and stormed Fleetwood Hill from the southeast. The fight for Fleetwood Hill - a classic cavalry battle fought on horseback - became a . . . — — Map (db m4421) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east on Fleetwood Heights Road.
The 1863 campaigns for Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, and Mine Run exacted an immense toll upon the Army of the Potomac. Union Gen. George G. Meade deemed it vital to rest his command. War Department officials also used this . . . — — Map (db m97493) HM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Virginia Route 685) at Stuart Lane, on the right when traveling east on Fleetwood Heights Road.
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 . . . — — Map (db m97501) HM
On Newbys Shop Road (Virginia Route 673), on the right when traveling north.
On January 25, 1863, Union general Joseph "Fighting Joe" Hooker replaced Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside as the fifth commander of the demoralized eastern armies in less than two years. On taking charge of the Army of the Potomac, Hooker implemented . . . — — Map (db m154485) HM
On Newbys Shop Road (Virginia Route 673), on the right when traveling north.
On March 17, 1863, Union Gen. William W. Averell led 2,100 horsemen to the northern bank of the Rappahannock River at Kelly's Ford, four miles in front of you, under orders to "rout or destroy" Confederate Gen. Fitzhugh Lee and his cavalry command . . . — — Map (db m154487) HM
On Brandy Road (Business U.S. 15/29) at James Madison Highway (U.S. 15/29), on the right when traveling east on Brandy Road.
Two miles south is the grave of Betty Washington Lewis, the younger sister of George Washington. She was born in Westmoreland County in 1733 and married Fielding Lewis in May 1750, becoming his second wife. Her husband purchased land in 1752 and . . . — — Map (db m282197) HM
On Brandy Road (Virginia Route 672) at Carpenters Branch Road, on the right when traveling west on Brandy Road.
With deep gratitude the country Garden Club dedicates this living war memorial to the men and women of the Armed Forces for their heroic services in World War II — — Map (db m291570) WM
On Fleetwood Heights Road (Route 865) 0.1 miles east of Stuart Lane.
George C. Hupp, Sergeant in K Company,
8th Illinois Cavalry, was wounded at Brandy
Station Battlefield on June 9, 1863. In his
Memory Great-Great-Great Grandson William J.
Hupp, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, happily made a
leadership . . . — — Map (db m154528) WM
On Stevensburg Road (County Route 663), on the right when traveling north.
The Battle of Brandy Station actually occurred in several locations, miles apart. A mile in front of you is Hansborough Ridge. Late in the morning of June 9, 1863, a division of the Union Cavalry under Col. Alfred Duffie approached the ridge from . . . — — Map (db m103534) HM
On Stevensburg Road near County Route 663, on the right when traveling north.
June 9, 1863 - 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm This map prepared from the first hand account of Col. Butler, other historians, and the personal account of the family, who in the early 1950s cleared, leveled and ditched this bottom for cultivation, . . . — — Map (db m103533) HM
On Brandy Road (County Route 762) just east of Carrico Mills Road (Route 669), on the left when traveling east.
(south face)
In memory of Major John Pelham. Born Sept. 7, 1838 in Calhoun Co. Ala. Mortally wounded March 17, 1863 near Kelleys Ford, Va.
(east face)
Base stone from Kellys Ford battlefield near spot where Pelham fell.
. . . — — Map (db m154526) HM
On St James Church Road (Virginia Route 676) at Beverly Ford Road, on the left when traveling west on St James Church Road.
William Henry Fitzhugh Payne (1830-1904) of Fauquier County, VA formed the famed "Black Horse Cavalry" (later called the 4th VA) as a militia company in June, 1859. Payne joined the Confederacy at the war's outset as a citizen soldier and earned . . . — — Map (db m238462) HM
Near Stevensburg Road south of Coles Hill Road, on the left when traveling south.
Serving the public as a crossing of Mountain Run on the Carolina Road (Raleigh to Philadelphia) from Colonial days until 1900, when a single lane, three span, steel truss bridge was constructed, just west of the dam. This bridge was replaced in the . . . — — Map (db m103529) HM
On Brandy Road (County Route 762) 0.1 miles east of Carrico Mills Road ( Route 669), on the right when traveling east.
On this plain Lee reviewed his cavalry, June 8, 1863. The next day the cavalry battle of Brandy Station was fought. On June 10, Ewell's Corps, from its camp near here, began the march to Pennsylvania. — — Map (db m301784) HM
On Brandy Road (Virginia Route 762) north of Alanthus Road ( Route 663), on the right when traveling north.
On 5 May 1864, thousands of United States Colored Troops entered Culpeper County at Kelly's Ford, six miles southeast of here, marking the first time Black troops served alongside the Army of the Potomac. These men, including some who had escaped . . . — — Map (db m280444) HM
On Brandy Road near Carrico Mills Road (State Route 669), on the right when traveling west.
Scores of soldiers passed through Brandy Station during the Civil War, and the "Graffiti House" in front of you literally tells the story of wartime events. Soldiers from both sides scrawled signatures, sketches, and messages upon the walls. . . . — — Map (db m280437) HM
