Its time to get out your Civil War cavalry. Yes, the fellows spending most of their time hiding in the bushes or being shot to pieces by long range artillery.

On June 6, 1963 Hooker ordered Pleasonton to take the Cavalry Corps, with infantry support, across the Rappahannock and move towards Culpeper. His mission was to beat up Stuart's camp and discover the position of Lee's Army.

Leaving Warrenton Virginia on June 8, Pleasonton moved Southwest some twenty miles arriving at Kelly's Ford about dusk. Here he left the Left Wing of his Corps under Gregg and proceeded with the Right Wing under Buford to Beverly Ford.

Plan

His plan was to distract Stuart by crossing the Rappahannock at Beverly Ford while Gregg crossed at Kelly's Ford. Once across the river Gregg was to move on Brandy Station and send Duffie towards Stevensburg scouting the road to Culpeper and covering the Union left.

Stuart's cavalry, tired after two reviews in four days and preparing for Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, was bivouacked about Brandy Station with pickets placed at Welford's Ford, Beverly Ford, Rappahannock Station and Kelly's Ford.

At dawn, with Davis' Brigade leading in column of fours, Buford's troops splashed across the Rappahannock and ran into the pickets of the 6th VA. In a series of charges and counter charges the picket, joined by the balance of the regiment and later by the 7th VA, was pushed back to the vicinity of St James church, not, however, before buying the time needed to move the horse artillery batteries to the rear. Here the Confederate line was reinforced, first by the remainder of Jone's Brigade then by the Brigades of W. Lee and Hampton.

On hearing the firing from Beverly Ford Stuart sent the 1st SC, later recalled, to reinforce Robertson, sent Butler's 2nd SC to guard Brandy Station, sent his wagon train to Culpeper, and then rode to the fighting. Somewhat later in the day Stuart sent Butler, reinforced by the 4th VA, south towards Stevensburg.

Mid Morning

By midmorning the lines in front of St. James Church stabilized somewhat. The Confederates, from left to right the Brigades of W. Lee, Jones and Hampton and the Union, from right to left the Brigades of Whiting, Devin and Davis with Ames infantry moving on the Union right.

For most of the day the fighting in this area followed a pattern. Dismounted skirmishers supported by mounted saber companies and guns. Charge and counter charge with the lines remaining stable until mid afternoon.

Gregg, due to Duffie's slowness, got a late start. Pushing across Kelly's Ford he turned on the road to Newby and ran into Robertson's pickets. These he brushed aside then found Robertson's Brigade in dismounted line across the road. Leaving Russell's infantry to watch Robertson Gregg returned to the Stevensburg road and moved four miles Southwest before turning North towards Brandy station, Wyndham's Brigade leading the column.

Duffie with his division was sent on to Stevensburg. He passed through the town, then turned back, picked up the road north to Brandy Station and ran into Butler. After a skirmish Butler dismounted segments and formed line to block the road. His position was successfully charged by elements di Cesnola's Brigade. With the Confederates shaken and outnumbered little stood between Duffie and Brandy Station. At this point a staff officer arrived with orders to rejoin Gregg. Turning his back on success Duffie abandoned the field and retraced his steps. The Second Division arrived at Brandy Station to late to aid in the fighting but in time to cover the retreat of Third Division.

Fleetwood Hill MAJ McClellan saw Gregg's column emerge from the woods and move on the heights. He sent word to Stuart and looked for troops to defend the hill. He found one gun commanded by LT Carter. In one of the more unusual actions of the war Carter's gun delayed Wyndham's Brigade just long enough for Stuart to send reinforcements.

First to Arrive

The first to arrive were the 12th VA and the 35th VA Bn. They met Wyndham's men at the crest of wood and, in spite of the best efforts of MAJ von Borcke, were driven back in disorder. By 12:30 the Yankees held the heights and brought up four guns from the 6th NY Light Battery.

Flush with success Wyndham's men advanced to far and were hit by elements of Hampton's Brigade (Cobbs Legion, 1st SC, 1st NC, Jeff Davis' Legion and Hart's HA Bty). Driving Wyndham back the Rebels retook the heights. Unable to retire Martin fought his guns to the end and, with six men, escaped to the Union lines.

Kilpatrick's Brigade was now on the field. Forming his regiments parallel to the railroad he charged Hampton's disordered troops. Another clash which ended with Hampton being pushed back and the heights returning to Federal hands. Stuart now withdrew the 11th VA was from Jones and added the regiment to the forces about Fleetwood Hill.

With the Confederate line in front of him weakened Gregg made a major effort to breakthrough/ Ames' infantry advanced, the 2nd MA, 33rd MA and 3rd WI in line supported by the 86th NY and 124th NY, partially flank the Confederate line and blasted a hole in W. Lee's front. Into the gap charged the 6th PA, which was counter charge by the 9th VA, which was counter charge by the 2nd US and was counter charge by the 2nd NC and the 10th VA.

As this fighting took place F. Lee's Brigade, under the command of Munford, began to deploy on the Confederate left. It was now mid afternoon. Stuart, seeing Ames' Brigade deploy decided to request infantry support. He was surprised to find Lee, concerned by the day long battle, had already sent him Daniel's Bridade of Rodes' Division. This unit was on the road near Botts approaching Brandy Station.

Do or Die

Hampton now ordered his forces for a do or die effort to retake Fleetwood Hill. Charged in front by Hampton and in the rear by the 11th VA Gregg's troops gave way and retired, covered by Duffie's Division and Russell's Brigade, both now arriving on the field, along the railway towards Rappahannock Station. On receipt of Pleasonton's order to retreat he recrossed the river at Rappahannock Ford about 4:00 pm. Hampton did not pursue.

Pleasonton seeing the Rebels retake Fleetwood Hill and informed of the arrival of Confederate infantry wisely ordered a general retreat. Buford retired on Beverly Ford recrossing the river about 4:00 pm. What was accomplished?

The Union Cavalry performed well. They had beaten up Stuart's camp and had found Confederate infantry about Culpeper. In his report Pleasonton maintained it was the arrival of the Confederate infantry not the actions of Stuart's cavalry which caused him to retire. He may be correct. With the arrival of Duffie's 2nd Division Pleasonton had more fresh troops on the field than did Stuart with the arrival of F. Lee's Brigade. Daniel's Brigade may have been all that saved the Rebel cavalry from defeat.

Pleasonton and the Union troopers were not the only ones who thought they had done well. Later MAJ McClellan, Stuart's adjutant general, would write:

One result of incalculable importance certainly did follow this battle,-it made the Federal cavalry. Up to that time confessedly inferior to the Southern horsemen, they gained on this day the confidence in themselves and in their commanders which enabled them to contest so fiercely the subsequent battlefields of June, July and October.

The Confederate performance was spotty. Stuart though surprised reacted quickly and managed the battle he saw very effectively. It appears though he forgot the units which were not directly in front of him. Robertson's Brigade was left sitting in front of Kelly's ford. Munford, commanding F. Lee's Brigade, though no more than five miles from the fighting arrived late, 'by reason of some uncertainty of his orders.' Finally, after Duffie retired, Butler's command was not recalled. Adding these units together close to one third of Stuart's cavalry took little to no part in the battle.

W. Lee, until wounded, Hampton, Jones and their brigades performed magnificently. First by marching their troops to the sound of the guns then by shifting troops under fire to hold off two Union divisions.

Inactivity

The inactivity of Robertson and Munford is hard to explain. Even without orders or with orders which were unclear they should have sent an officer to find what was going on at Brandy Station.

Butler's command is a special case. Butler was seriously wounded in the fighting in front of Stevensburg and his troops retired in disorder towards Culpeper. The next in command, COL Wickham, might have done more. Even a portion of two mounted regiments arriving in the rear of Gregg would have been useful.

To Wargame the Battle

The area fought over by Buford is described as fields broken by woods, stone walls (part of W. Lee's Brigade was dismounted behind one), farm buildings and some ditches. The area about Fleetwood Hill was open, small clumps of trees, some buildings. Good cavalry country.

For me the big what if of the battle is what if Duffie ignored his recall order, pressed his advantage and rode through to Brandy Station?

Order of Battle, Cavalry Army of the Potomac

BG Alfred Pleasonton commanding.

Right Wing: BG John Buford commanding
1st Division BG John Buford 1577 (1245)

1st Brigade COL Benjamin Davis

8th IL: MAJ Alpheus Clark (LTC David Clendenin)
3rd IN: MAJ Willard McClure (COL George Chapman)
8th NY: COL Benjamine Davis (LTC William Markell)
B/L 2nd US CPT James Robertson (1)

2nd Brigade COL Thomas Devin 1379 (1089)

6th NY: MAJ William Beardsley
9th NY: COL William Sackett
17th PA: COL Joshia Kellogg
3rd WV:

Reserve Brigade (2): MAJ Charles Whiting 2404 (1900)

6th PA MAJ Robert Morris
1st US CPT Richard Lord (3)
2nd US CPT Theophilus Rodenbough
6th US CPT George Cram
E 4th US: Lt. Samuel Elder (4)

2nd MA
33rd MA
86th NY
124th NY (5),
3rd WI
K, 1st US: CPT William Graham (1)

Left Wing: BG David McM. Gregg commanding

2nd Division COL Alfred Duffie
1st Bngade COL Louis di Cesnola 1416 (1119)
1st MA: LTC Greely Curtis
6th OH: LTC Willam Stedman
1st RI: LTC John Thompson
4th NY: LTC Augustus Pruyn (6)

2nd Brigade: COL J. Irvin Gregg 1121 (885)

3rd PA: COL John McIntosh
4th PA: LTC William Doster
16th PA: COL John Robison
M, 2nd US: LT Alexander Pennington (1)

3rd Division: BG David McM. Gregg

1st Brigade: COL Judson Kilpatrick 1138 (899)
1st ME: COL Calvin Douty
2nd NY (Harris Light): LTC Henry Davies
1Oth NY: LTC William Irvine
DC Co: CPT William Orton

2nd Brigade: COL Percy Wyndham 1099 (868)

1st MD: LTC James Deems
1st NJ: LTC Virgil Broderick
1st PA: COL: John Taylor
6th NY Light: CPT Joseph Martin (1)

Russell's Brigade: BG David Russell 1500

2nd WI.
7th WI.
56th PA

(1) 6 3" Rifles
(2) 5th US: CPT Julius Mason - on detached service.
(3) Left to guard Beverly Ford.
(4) 4 3" Rifles
The 6NY Light, BL/2, M/2 & E/4 Batteries comprised the 1st Horse Artillery Brigade: CPT James Robertson. Battery K/1 was borrowed from the 2nd Horse Artillery Brigade. (5) The Statistical Record replaces the 124th NY with the 104th NY.
(6) 4th NY is placed at the battle in The Cavalry at Gettysburg but is not mentioned in Clash of Cavalry. Strength, 298 officers and men.

Order of Battle, Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia
MG J.E.B Stuart commanding

Robertson's Brigade: BG Beverly Robertson 962

4th NC: LTC Edward Cantwell
5th NC: MAJ James McNeill

Hampton's Brigade: BG Wade Hampton 2053

1st NC: COL Laurence Baker
1st SC: COL John Black
2nd SC: COL Matthew Butler
Cobb's GA L.: COL Pierce Young
Jeff Davis' MS L.: LTC Frederick Waring Phillips' L.

F. Lee's Brigade (7): COL Thomas Munford 1840

1st VA: COL James Drake
2nd VA: LTC James Watts (COL Thomas Munford)
3rd VA: COL Thomas Owen
4th VA: COL Willams Wickham
5th VA: COL Thomas Rosser

W.H.F. Lee's Brigade: BG W.H.F. (Rooney) Lee 1474

2nd NC: COL Solomon Williams
9th VA: COL Richard Beale
10th VA: COL J. Lucius Davis
13th VA: COL John Chambliss
15th VA: MAJ Charles Collins

Laurel Brigade: BG W.E. (Grumble) Jones 2411

6th VA: MA] Cabell Floumoy
7th VA: LTC Thomas Marshall
11th VA: COL Lundford Lomax
12th VA: COL Asher Harman
35th VA BN: LTC Elijah White
Ashby Battery (1): CPT Robert Chew

Beckham's HA Battalion: MAJ R.F. Beckham

1st Stuart Battery (8): CPT James Breathed
2nd Stuart Battery (9): CPT William McGregor
2nd Baltimore Battery (11): CPT W.H. Griffin
Washington Battery (12): CPT J.F. Hart
Lynchburg HA Battery (10): CPT Marcellus Moorman

(7) One of F. Lee's regiments is unaccounted for. The 4th VA was near Brandy Station on the morning of June 9, and Munford is described as deploying three regiments in the aftemoon.
(8) 4 3" rifles
(9) 2 3" rifles 2 12lb Napoleons
(10) 4 guns type unknown
(11) 4 10lb Parrotts
(12) 4 Blakely rifles

Maps

The map base was traced from the endpapers of Clash of Cavalry.

Map 1. The position of the Confederate Brigades at the start of the battle. Note the exposed position of Stuart's artillery park. Four batteries were placed here, Chew's, Moorman's, McGregor's and Hart's. Griffin's battery was with F. Lee and Breathed's with W. Lee. Robertson's position is a problem, had he been in bivouac it is hard to see how he could have gotten to Kelly's Ford before Gregg.

Large Map 1 (78K)

W = Welford's Ford, B = Beverly Ford, R = Rappahannock Ford, N = Norman's Ford. K = Kelly's Ford, F = Fleetwood Hill.

Map 2. Union and Confederate moves to the battle.

Large Map 2 (79K)

Numbers (13)

With the exception of the 1st RI (14) and the 15th VA (15) the cavalry regiments which fought at Brandy Station were present at Gettysburg. To calculate Brigade strengths I first went to Busey and Martin's 'Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg'. To these numbers I added the losses reported for Brandy Station. For the Union they range from a low of 500 in the Statistical Record to a high of 936 reported by MAJ McClellan. I compromised on the 866 recorded in the Official Record. For the Confederates I used Stuart's report of 480 which may be a bit low. These numbers were averaged among the brigades of the which did the fighting (16) and the result is recorded right of the brigade.

For the Union there is a problem, the cavalry is too strong. Battles and Leaders reports the Union strength at 10,981 of whom 3000 were infantry. Or 7,981 cavalrymen not the 10,000 + calculated above. This discrepancy may illustrate both the deplorable Yankee habit of bleeding the cavalry escorts, couriers, pickets, wagon guards and such, a practice not brought under control Until the advent of Grant, and the cavalry's need for remounts. To compensate I reduced cavalry strength 21% and recorded the result in brackets ( ).

For the Confederates calculation yields 8740 grey troopers. This appears fairly accurate. Battle and Leaders reports Confederate strength before Brandy Station as 10,292 but provides no breakdown. Fairfax Downey in 'Clash of Cavalry' records 9,536 combatants including the artillery, and reports 8,000 sabers at the review staged on June 5.

(13) The numbers are calculated using the best information available to me. They are accurate enough to wargame the battle but could be improved. I would be interested in hearing from anyone with better information.
(14) The 1st RI was shattered at Aldie Virginia on June 17 after being surrounded by Robertson's and Chambliss' Brigades. Only four officers and twenty-seven men escaped.
(15) The 15th VA remained in Virginia guarding the army's rear.
(16) 2nd Division reported a loss of only 25 men and Russell's Brigade engaged in minor skirmishing only. Robertson's Brigade reported a loss of O! and most of F. Lee's Brigade was not heavily engaged.

Sources

1. Clash of Cavalry: The Battle of Brandy Station Fairfax Downey, David McKay Company - 1959
2. The Cavalry at Gettysburg, Edward G Longacre, University of Nebraska Press - 1986.
I cannot recommend Mr. Longacre's book to highly. An excellent history of the period with numerous descriptions of skirmish and small unit cavalry actions. Strong on the units involved but no strengths, not a problem with access to Busey & Martin. My favorite action is MAJ Morris wiht four companies of infantry holding Jenkin's Brigade at Bunker Hill with odds of twenty to 1. Good stuff for wargaming.
3. Regimental Strengths and Losses at Gettysburg John W. Busey & David G. Martin Longs House- 1994.
4. Statistical Record, Frederick Phisterer, John Kallmann, Publishers - 1883.
5. Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Volume III Thomas Yoseloff- 1956.