Battle of Brandy Station Facts

June 9, 1863

Key facts about the Battle of Brandy Station, which occurred on June 9, 1863, in Culpeper County, Virginia, and was the largest cavalry engagement of the Civil War.

JEB Stuart, Civil War General

Major General J. E. B. Stuart commanded Confederate forces at the Battle of Brandy Station, also known as the Battle of Fleetwood Hill. It was the first engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign, and the largest cavalry engagement of the war. [Wikimedia Commons]

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Also Known As

  • The Battle of Fleetwood Hill

Date and Location

  • June 9, 1863
  • Culpeper County, Virginia, in and around the town of Brandy Station

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac and infantry brigades from the 5th Corps (about 11,000 men)

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Five Confederate cavalry brigades (about 9,500 men) of the Army of Northern Virginia

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 11,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 9,500

Union Casualties

  • 866 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Confederate Casualties

  • 575 (killed, wounded and missing/captured)

Result

  • Inconclusive

Significance

  • Largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the American Civil War.
  • First engagement of the Gettysburg Campaign.
  • Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s son, Brigadier General William Henry Fitzhugh “Rooney” Lee was wounded and captured by Union forces while recovering two weeks later.

Timeline of the Gettysburg Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Gettysburg Campaign in order.