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Brandy Station Main Buford's Knoll
Civil War in Culpeper Tourng the Walking Trail Surprises at the Crossing Buying Time Cunningham Farm Rooney Lee Saint James Church
Brandy Station wayside
Touring the Trail Federal Army Rebuilds Calm Before The Storm Charging Guns Confederate Defence Fleetwood Hill
Other Area Markers
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The Civil War in the EastAbout the Author Contact me Stone Sentinels Books ©2013 Steve Hawks |
Fleetwood HillNamed after Henry Miller's House, Fleetwood, the high ground about a mile northeast of Brandy Station became the center of a series of violent cavalry charges and countercharges during the battle on June 9, 1863. Fleetwood Hill changed hands several times in the course of the afternoon until finally Union General Alfred Pleasonton pulled his forces back across the Rappahannock River.
Confederates considered the action at Fleetwood Hill to be the centerpoint of the fight, and referred to the battle as the Battle of Fleetwood Hill. When the United Daughters of the Confederacy erected a monument to the battle in 1929 (photo lower right) they placed it at the crest of Fleetwood Hill.
The rest of the land around Fleetwood Hill is still private property today. However, two wayside markers overlook the hill from 0.4 mile to the east on land preserved by the Civil War Trust:
DirectionsFrom the James Madison Highway (U.S. 15 & 29) at Brandy Station take Fleetwood Heights Road east about 0.5 mile from Alanthus Road to the wayside markers. Continue another 0.4 mile to the crest of Fleetwood Hill and the monument.
Fleetwood Heights Road contnues east another 0.75 mile to Cobb Legion Road, which connects with Beverly Ford Road, leading to the St. James Church and Buford's Knoll walkng trails. |
(above) Fleetwood Hill seen from the west.
(below) Two wayside markers look toward the hill, tellng the story of the final phase of the largest cavalry battle of the Civil War. - enlarge
(below) The monument to the Battle of Brandy Station where the road crosses the crest of Fleetwood Hill. - enlarge
