On June 9, 1863, Federal cavalry, commanded by US Major General Alfred Pleasanton, clashed with the famed Confederate cavalry of CSA Major General J.E.B. Stuart. In what would be the largest cavalry battle on North American soil, over 20,000 mounted cavaliers battled at Brandy Station, near Culpeper, Virginia. The Battle of Brandy Station, also known as Fleetwood Hill, was the opening salvo of the Gettysburg Campaign.
Battle of Brandy Station (Fleetwood Hill)
Click here for a map of the Brandy Station Battlefield courtesy of the Civil War Preservation Trust.(i)
Location: Brandy Station, Virginia (near Culpeper)
Date: June 9, 1863
Federal Commander: Alfred Pleasanton, Major General
Confederate Commander: J.E.B. Stuart, Major General
With the Army of the Potomac demoralized from their defeat at the Battle of Chancellorsville, in early May, CSA General Robert E. Lee was developing plans to invade the North. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia was bivouacked in the vicinity of Culpeper, Virginia with his cavalry, commanded by CSA Major General J.E.B. Stuart camped north of Culpeper, near Brandy Station. On June 8, Lee had attended a “Grand Review” of his cavalry forces just south of the railroad depot, at Brandy Station. They were unaware of a “gathering storm” to their southeast. Federal Cavalry commander US Major General Alfred Pleasanton had been sent, by Army of the Potomac commander, US Major General Joseph Hooker, to determine the location of Lee’s cavalry, who were assumed to be preparing a raid on his supply lines. By the evening of June 8, in what was referred to as a “spoiling raid,” Pleasanton’s cavalry approached Kelly’s Ford, on the Rappahannock River. The stage was set for a surprise attack on Stuart’s cavalry. Pleasanton’s attacking force included two cavalry divisions under US Brigadier General John Buford and two cavalry divisions under US Brigadier General David McM. Gregg. Additionally, Pleasanton had two V Corps infantry brigades commanded by brigadier generals David Russell and Adelbert Ames. Russell supported the cavalry wing commanded by Gregg, while Ames supported the cavalry wing commanded by Buford. Facing them was J.E.B. Stuart’s entire cavalry division of Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.(ii) Stuart’s Confederate cavalry was positioned just west of Brandy Station, around Fleetwood Hill. Three brigades of cavalry commanded by brigadier generals W.H.F. “Rooney” Lee, William E. “Grumble” Jones and Wade Hampton held a line north of Fleetwood Hill, near the St. James Church. Lee held the far left flank, protected by a stone wall. Jones held the line around the brick church, with Hampton holding the right flank, extending across the Beverly Ford Road.
Pleasanton’s plan called for Buford to cross Beverly Ford at first light, attacking the Confederate position around St. James Church. Meanwhile, Gregg’s division of 2,200 troops was to cross Kelly’s Ford, attacking Stuart near Fleetwood Hill, from the southeast. Crossing Beverly Ford at 4:00 A.M., Buford’s troops literally caught the Confederates sleeping. US Colonel 
Benjamin “Grimes” Davis led his troops across first. He would fall early in the action, with a mortal head wound. The Confederates were able to quickly organize an effective defensive line. The two sides would fight hand-to-hand, with sabers, revolvers and rifles, for several hours, attempting to control the wooded area around St. James Church. The 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded by US Major Robert Morris, Jr., would lead a gallant charge against Jones’ brigade, near the church, with many of the brave Pennsylvania cavaliers falling in a tremendous cross fire from Jones’ brigade and CS Major Robert Beckham’s horse artillery. In an effort to turn the Confederate left flank Buford re-deployed most of his cavalry to his right, near the Cunningham farm. “Rooney” Lee’s cavalry held this sector, and had a clear advantage behind the stone wall. Lee’s dismounted cavalry would continue to firmly hold their lines, turning away several charges by the Federal troopers.(iii)
Around 10:30 A.M., J.E.B. Stuart became aware of a growing danger, to his rear. Gregg’s cavalry, having crossed earlier in the morning at Kelly’s Ford, had arrived near Brandy Station. Stuart, recognizing that it was imperative to hold the high ground of Fleetwood Hill, ordered the brigades of Hampton and Jones, to pull back to Fleetwood Hill – where his headquarters and supply train were located. Being unsupported, Lee’s line soon became untenable and he would withdraw, through the Yew Hills, to Fleetwood Hill. Buford would pursue Lee, fighting his rear guard the entire way. With his entire cavalry now on Fleetwood Hill, Stuart held a formidable defensive line – on the high ground. Spirited cavalry fighting would occur on the southern portions of Fleetwood Hill. One Confederate cavalier would later describe the action, “Thousands of flashing sabers steamed in the sunlight; the rattle of carbines and pistols mingled with the roar of cannon; armed men wearing the blue and gray became mixed in promiscuous confusion; the surging ranks swayed up and down the sides of Fleetwood Hill, and dense clouds of smoke and dust rose as a curtain to cover the tumultuous and bloody scene.”(iv) After several charges by Hampton’s cavalry brigade, the Confederate cavalry finally beat back the Federal cavalry – securing the ground from Fleetwood Hill south, and to the east, towards Brandy Station.
Stuart, recognizing an opportunity to destroy Buford’s cavalry, sent Lee’s brigade to counterattack. Charging the Federal troops, Lee would severely punish the enemy. After receiving orders, Buford retreated across Beverly Ford. The fighting at Brandy Station was over.
Campaign: Gettysburg
Outcome: Inconclusive
Troop Strengths:
Federal: 11,000
Confederate: 9,500
Casualties: (Estimated):
Federal: 875
Confederate 515
Battle Aftermath:
The Battle of Brandy Station often times is considered a Confederate victory. The National Park Service, on their site, deemed it inconclusive. While J.E.B. Stuart held the battlefield after the fighting ended, the Federal cavalry had made a huge leap forward. No longer would it be considered inferior to the Army of Northern Virginia’s mounted arm, no longer did they lack leadership and no longer would the Confederates take them for granted. Unfortunately, Pleasanton was unable to ascertain the location of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. While R.E. Lee watched part of the battle, and much of his infantry was close by, at Culpeper, Joseph Hooker’s cavalry was unable to provide him with this intelligence. Over the coming weeks Hooker and his successor, US Major General George Gordon Meade, would operate in a vacuum, unaware of the exact location of the Army of Northern Virginia. The campaign, marked by the opening battle at Brandy Station, would culminated during the first three days of July, in the small crossroads town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Click here to view all of my Brandy Station photos at Flickr.
(i) For more information about becoming a member of the Civil War Preservation Trust, click here.
(ii) The Battle of Brandy Station, at bivouacbooks.com, was used to research this article.
(iii) Kennedy, Frances H., The Civil War Battlefield Guide, published by Houghton Mifflin in 1998, Pg. 204.
(iv) Kennedy, Frances H., The Civil War Battlefield Guide, published by Houghton Mifflin in 1998, Pg. 204.
