Battle of Brandy Station

Fought in the second week of June 1863, the Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought in North America. Buoyed by his stunning victory at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee decided to launch a second invasion of the North. On June 3, the Army of Northern Virginia began its movement away from Fredericksburg, with the first leg of the march taking the Confederates to Culpeper Court House. From there, Major General J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry division was to screen the infantry as the march continued to the Shenandoah Valley.

Stuart’s concentration, however, was detected by Union cavalry led by Alfred Pleasonton. Believing that Stuart planned a raid toward Washington around his right flank, Major General Joseph Hooker, commander of the Army of the Potomac, ordered Pleasonton to cross the Rappahannock River and destroy the Confederate cavalry. Early on the morning of June 9, Pleasonton sent columns over the Rappahannock at Beverly Ford and Kelly’s Ford.

Following the crossing at Beverly Ford, Union troopers struck Stuart’s camp near Brandy Station, a rail station on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. The Confederates quickly rallied, and the Federals encountered stiff resistance at St. James Church and the Richard Cunningham farm. After crossing at Kelly’s Ford, the Union cavalry split up: one division headed for Brandy Station, while the other moved toward Stevensburg. The arrival of Union forces at Brandy Station threatened the rear of Stuart’s position. In response, Stuart skillfully shifted his brigades, leading to a fierce mounted clash on Fleetwood Hill, a long, low ridge rising from the station.

Meanwhile, Pleasonton’s force at Stevensburg was stymied by Confederate horsemen. Unable to break through Stuart’s position, Pleasonton abandoned the field after fourteen hours of intense fighting.

Reference: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/brandy-station