Largest predominantly cavalry engagement of American Civil War begins near Brandy Station, Virginia 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 9 1863)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Brandy Station: The Largest Cavalry Battle Of The American Civil War | History Of Warfare | Timeline'

(Tuesday, June 9, 1863, 4:30 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — The Battle of Brandy Station, the largest predominantly cavalry engagement of the American Civil War, as well as the largest ever to take place on American soil, began early today as Brig. Gen. John Buford’s column crossed the Rappahannock River in a dense fog, pushing aside the Confederate pickets at Beverly’s Ford, two miles northeast of Brandy Station, Virginia.


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.5of9.The Universe of Battle.' (Battle of Brandy Station at 7:07)

Fortunes changed repeatedly during the all-day battle, fought on the seventh day of the Gettysburg Campaign by the Union cavalry under Maj. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton against Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry.

The Federals retired without discovering Gen. Robert E. Lee’s infantry camped near Culpeper. But the battle marked the end of the Confederate cavalry’s dominance in the East. From this point in the war, the Federal cavalry gained strength and confidence.