Brandy Station. . . Kelly's Ford. . .  Cedar Mountain.  .  .  During the Civil War, more than 160 skirmishes occurred in and around Culpeper including the Western Hemisphere’s largest cavalry engagement at Brandy Station.  Throughout continual occupation by one side or the other, trees were felled and used for shelter and firewood, food stores and housing were commandeered by whichever side was in charge at the time. The community suffered devastating consequences. While visiting war-stricken Culpeper in 1864 as a nurse, Walt Whitman wrote that “Culpeper . . . must be one of the pleasantest towns in Virginia.  Even now, dilapidated fences, all broken down with windows out, it has the remains of much beauty.”

Today, the preserved battlefields offer peace and natural beauty, and the stories they tell live on. A copy of A Driving Tour of Civil War Culpeper is available at the Culpeper Visitors Center or online at www.visitculpeperva.com. This free and informative publication tells the story of Culpeper during the Civil War and contains maps and directions to nearly two dozen points of interest. All tours begin at the Museum of Culpeper History which has an entire wing dedicated to the Civil War history of the area.

An Overview of Culpeper’s Major Battles

 August 9, 1862 Battle of Cedar Mountain
Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson earned the sobriquet “Stonewall” in the summer of 1861 and furthered his reputation by demonstrating great strategic skill during the spring of 1862. Jackson’s success in the spring was made possible by the lack of cooperation among three federal forces which together would have badly outnumbered Jackson, but instead gave Jackson an opportunity to defeat each separately. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln decided to rectify the problem by forging each of those commands into a new army under General John Pope. In the summer of 1862, the three forces combined here at Culpeper. Jackson sought to attack General Nathaniel Banks’ troops – the first of the commands to arrive – before the other two could provide support. They clashed south of town on August 9, under the brow of Cedar Mountain.

March 17, 1863 Battle of Kelly’s Ford
During the first two years of the Civil War, the Confederate cavalry proved to be superior to the Federal horsemen both in skill and in the way the army commanders used their mounted branch. New Federal commander Joseph Hooker wanted to change that. After reorganizing his cavalry in February of 1863, Confederate cavalry leader Fitzhugh Lee launched an embarrassing raid on a portion of the Federal cavalry under Lee’s good friend and former West Point classmate William Averell. Lee could not resist leaving Averell a taunting note: “If you won’t go home, return my visit, and bring me a sack of coffee.” Hooker was incensed and directed Averell to meet the challenge. The result was the March 17, 1863 Battle of Kelly’s Ford.

June 9, 1863 Battle of Brandy Station
The Gettysburg Campaign began with the Battle of Brandy Station.  Federal forces in Fredericksburg were aware that some 10,000 Confederate cavalrymen under General J. E. B. Stuart had assembled in Culpeper 35 miles to the west.  Sensing the southern horseman were about to launch a raid on their supply lines, a Federal force of 8,000 cavalry under General Alfred Pleasonton and 3,000 infantry sought to strike the Confederates first.  On June 9, 1863, three different columns of blue clad horsemen converged on Brandy Station for what would be the largest cavalry battle of the war, and the opening engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign.

September 13, 1863 Battle of Culpeper Court House
On September 13, 1863, under the command of flashy General George Armstrong Custer, a portion of the federal cavalry rode into the town of Culpeper Court House, fighting with Southern horsemen and chasing a train loaded with supplies as it backed out of town.  As the fighting progressed south of town, Custer was wounded when his horse was shot out from under him at the current intersection of Commerce & Davis Streets near the Depot. 

Culpeper Today
A visit to the town of Culpeper is like stepping back into a simpler time.  A stellar example of the Virginia Main Street program, Culpeper has revitalized its downtown with world-class restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, and unique gift shops.  Enjoy classic movies on the big screen at the Library of Congress Packard Campus Theater.  Architecturally and historically important, Culpeper’s Victorian homes and Colonial era churches complement its equally rich Civil War significance.

Hiking, backpacking, canoeing, fishing, and horseback riding are just a few of the many outdoor activities available in and around Culpeper.  See Civil War era battlefields and canals as you pass by in your canoe or view the Blue Ridge from the back of a horse.

Culpeper is centrally located within 3 hours of all of the main attractions in the state of Virginia, including Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Richmond, as well as the Shenandoah Valley and the Skyline Drive, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Wilderness.

We invite you to visit our website, www.visitculpeperva.com where you’ll find detailed information about the Civil War in Culpeper, along with lodging, dining, shopping, and more.  Find out about local happenings on the Calendar of Events page, and sign up to receive our quarterly e-newsletter.  You can also request brochures and information, including A Driving Tour of Civil War Culpeper.