Brandy Station

• The Death of Grimes Davis

  

  In the early morning hours of June 9, 1862, Union Col. Benjamin "Grimes" Davis was shot dead on this spot while rallying the 8th New York Cavalry

  Rob Shenk

• Brandy Brigadiers

  

  Opponents at Brandy Station: Brigadier Generals John Buford (left) and W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee

  Library of Congress

• St. James Plateau

  

  The 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Rush's Lancers, emerged from the far tree line and charged right to left across this field in the direction of St. James Church.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• St. James Church Road

  

  Confederate horse artillery under Maj. Robert Beckham was deployed along the ridge just to the right of this road, firing into the front and flank of the charging 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• The Charge of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry

  

  Appearing in Harper's Weekly, this sketch by artist Alfred Waud depicts the gallant charge of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry.

  Image courtesy of Bud Hall

• Then and Now - The 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry

  

  Historian Bud Hall holds up an enlarged print of Alfred Waud's sketch of the 6th Pennsylvania's charge in front of the field where it took place.

  Rob Shenk

• "A Dark and Hellish Scene"

  

  This woodlot spanning from St. James Plateau to the Cunningham farm was the scene of the some of the battle's most savage fighting.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Brandy Station - Treeline

  

  On the left of the 6th Pennsylvania, the 6th U.S. Cavalry emerged from these woods and charged along Beverly's Ford Road toward Beckham's Confederate artillery.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Brandy Station: Formula One Race Track Site

  

  Historian Bud Hall holds up a photo of signs announcing the plan to create a Formula One racetrack at this site on the Brandy Station battlefield. Thanks to the efforts of the Brandy Station Foundation and the Civil War Trust this racetrack, which would have destroyed the Brandy Station battlefield, was never built.

  Rob Shenk

• Brandy Station Airport

  

  Built in 1961, this local airfield is situated over ground where Thomas Devin's Union brigade locked horns with Wade Hampton's troopers.

  Rob Shenk

• Rooney Lee's Knoll

  

  Robert E. Lee's son, Brig. Gen. W. H. F. "Rooney" Lee established his headquarters atop this knoll on the morning of June 9, 1863

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• View from atop Rooney Lee's Knoll

  

  From this vantage point Brig. Gen. W. H. F. "Rooney" Lee supervised his brigade's actions on the morning of June 9, 1863

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Bud Hall and Garry Adelman atop Rooney Lee's Knoll

  

  Historian Bud Hall and CWPT Director of History and Education Garry Adelman discuss the significance of Rooney Lee's Knoll

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Rooney Lee's Line

  

  Recognizing the importance of this position, Rooney Lee arrayed his brigade behind a stone wall. Today this wall is concealed by the treeline in this image. These trees were not here at the time of the battle.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• From the Stone Wall

  

  View from Rooney Lee's line along the stone wall toward Buford's Knoll.

  Rob Shenk

• Facing Buford

  

  Protected by a stone wall, Rooney Lee's brigade of dismounted cavalry fought off the assaults of Union General John Buford's Federals. Today the Confederate position is concealed by trees; at the time of the battle Lee's men had a clear field of fire.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Rooney Lee's Left Flank

  

  Still mounted, Rooney Lee's old regiment, the 9th Virginia Cavalry, held this position, anchoring the left of his line on the Hazel River

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Buford's Knoll

  

  From this eminence near the Cunningham Farm Union Brig. Gen. John Buford directed his assaults against Rooney Lee's Confederates. The far treeline marks Lee's position

  Steven Stanley

• View toward Yew Ridge

  

  This southwesterly view from Rooney Lee's Knoll shows Yew Ridge in the distance. After their stand at the stone wall, Lee's brigade would fall back toward the ridge.

  Douglas Ullman, Jr.

• Fleetwood Hill Mansion

  

  Fleetwood Hill, the site of Jeb Stuart's headquarters and a ferocious melee of epic proportions is now home to a sprawling modern mansion, further evidence that the fight for preserving this hallowed ground still goes on.

  Rob Shenk

• Fleetwood Hill - Confederate Charge

  

  Wade Hampton's Confederates charges across these fields in the vicious struggle for Fleetwood Hill. This ground is part of a 23 acre portion of land saved by CWPT in 2008.

  Rob Shenk

• Camp of the 6th New York Artillery

  

  These log huts belonging to the 6th New York were erected on the Brandy Station battlefield during the Army of the Potomac's 1863-1864 Winter Encampment

  Image courtesy of Bud Hall

• Then and Now: The 1864 Winter Encampment

  

  Historian Bud Hall holds up an 1864 photo of the 6th New York Artillery's encampments that filled this part of the Brandy Station battlefield. In 1864 the Army of the Potomac made Brandy Station the site of their largest winter encampment.

  Rob Shenk

• Sixth Corps Headquarters at Farley

  

  Union 6th Corps commander Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick (standing at center) surrounded by his staff on the steps of Farley during the winter encampment of 1863-1864.

  Image courtesy of Bud Hall

• Farley Today

  

  Situated on the Old Winchester Turnpike and near Welford's Ford on the Rappahannock, Farley plantation served as headquarters for generals in blue and gray, including Confederate cavalier Jeb Stuart and Union Corps commander John Sedgwick.

  Rob Shenk

• Brandy Station Depot - April 1864

  

  Northern view fo the Brandy Station railroad depot. Fleetwood Hill is visible on the horizon (center left)

  Image courtesy of Bud Hall