Battle Of Brandy Station - Fleetwood Hill - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

During the Civil War, following successes at the battles at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville in Virginia, Confederate Gen. R. E. Lee moved his infantry to Culpeper in early June 1863 in preparation for an offense into Pennsylvania. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry were stationed north of town at Brandy Station to hold the line at the Rappahannock River and screen the moves of the Confederate army. On June 9, Stuart's horse was surprised by the Union cavalry led by Gen. Alfred Pleasonton. One of the key attacks was at Fleetwood Hill, Stuart's headquarters. The Confederates fired the only mounted cannon and the Federals was tricked into halting their attack unsure if there was a line of artillery on the hill. It was enough time for Stuart and his cavalry troops who had been fighting at nearby St. James Church to withdraw and ride to assist at Fleetwood Hill. More help arrived when Gen. Rooney Lee brought his cavalry from seven miles away. The Confederates barely held the Union back.

The conflict at Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle fought in the Civil War with about 20,000 soldiers involved. The Union also proved they were a formidable force on horse.

The Civil War Preservation Trust, the Brandy Station Foundation and the Virginia Land Conservation Fund saved Fleetwood Hill from becoming a subdivision when they bought the land from the developer in 2006¹, but there is a home on the hilltop which remains private property. Two CWPT The Battle of Brandy Station interpretive signs are located on Fleetwood Heights Road in Culpeper County overlooking the strategic high ground of Fleetwood Hill, albeit with its private home -- The Race for Fleetwood Hill and The Struggle for Fleetwood Hill.

¹ Civil War News: Brandy Station Foundation Buying Land At Fleetwood Hill, Kelly's Ford

References:

• Brandy Station Battle Culpeper Virginia June Civil War 1863
• Battle of Brandy Station (U.S. National Park Service)

Type of site: Battlefield Address: Fleetwood Heights Road Rt. 685 Brandy Station, VA USA 22714 Admission Charged: No Charge Website: [Web Link] Phone Number: Not listed Driving Directions: Not listed

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