Clearing for a new housing development at Rappahannock Station begins

After what some have describe as too much time away from this blog (and they are correct), I've decided it's time to resume Today At Brandy Station.

As we move into the third year of the war - 1863 - the impact of fighting in the Eastern Theater will be painfully felt in Culpeper County.  Culpeper saw the Federals push into the county in the summer of 1862, only to be forcibly thrown out by Stonewall Jackson at Cedar Mountain and Freeman's Ford.  What happened in 1863 will resonate in Culpeper for the next 150 years. 

Hopefully, I will be able to help describe what happened in Culpeper, and Fauquier County, through the words of those who traversed this land, as well as inform you to the going-on's today.

Unfortunately today, I must discuss recent activity observed on the Rappahannock Station Battlefield.  The battlefield is in Remington, Virginia. There were two significant actions (for Fauquier County) at Rappahannock Station. The first took place in August 1862 and was mostly an artillery duel.  The second, on November 7, 1863, resulted in the largest fight in Fauquier County and cost the Army of Northern Virgina the better part of two brigades. 

Last week, clearing of some abandoned houses and trees were accomplished by the owners of Rappahannock Landing, a planned sub-division ON the battlefield.  The photo below was taken on March 31, 2013.

The land where this bulldozer sits was crossed by the 6th Maine, the 5th Wisconsin and the 49th Pennsylvania infantry regiments under Colonel Peter Ellmaker. The charge took place as darkness descended. It was one of the few evening actions of the Civil War.  Facing them was the famed Louisiana Brigade under BG Harry Hays. Also in the fortifications were Robert Hokes' North Carolinian's.  Ellmaker's and Emory Upton's men (on Ellmaker's right) swarmed over the fortifications and over 1600 Confederates became casualties. The Federals suffered slightly over 400. Three Medals of Honor were won on this day. 

One, Sergeant Otis O. Roberts, crossed this ground.  He was assigned to Company H of the 6th Maine. His commander, Major George Fuller wrote in the after-action report, "...but I cannot refrain from asking your attention to the following...instance of unexampled courage and coolness: Sergt. Otis R. Roberts, of Company H, with only 5 men, rushed upon the color-bearer of the 8th Louisiana Regiment, who was in the midst of his color company, and after a hand-to-hand conflict, in which the bayonet was freely used, succeeded in capturing the colors, compelling the whole company to surrender." Roberts received his Medal of Honor on December 28, 1863, nearly Farley, in Culpeper County.

Fauquier County owns a portion of the battlefield along the river and plans to build a park. It was hoped that the Rappahannock Landing property could be incorporated, making the site visually appealing and interpretable. If the development goes forward, visitors will stare down from the Confederate position directly into the backyards of town homes. And, with the arrival of bulldozers, time is running out for action.

Where's the beef?

Today at Rappahannock Station: September 28, 1863

Portion of a letter from Colonel H.F. Clark, [regular army] ADC and CS (Commissary Department) to Lt. Col G.H. Woods Chief C.S. 3rd Corps:

“Do you wish anymore cattle, if you please state the number and send here for them tomorrow morning. The main head is now near Rappahannock Station but some are coming up for the 2d Corps and yours can come with them...”

Isn't it nice to know that beef on the hoof is available to the army. The Second Corps cattle was in route to the soldiers. For the men of the Third Corps, the prospect of fresh meat was in the hand of Lt. Colonel Woods. All he had to do was ask....

During the Winter Encampment - still a few months away - today's in Elkwood, Virginia, was known as Ingall's Station. At Ingall's Station was the stockyard for the Army of the Potomac.

JEB gets a glass of milk

Today at Brandy Station: August 21, 1862

A portion of the diary of Jed Hotchkiss, civilian mapmaker for Stonewall Jackson, from Make Me a Map of the Valley: The Civil War Journal of Stonewall Jackson’s Topographer, Jedediah Hotchkiss

"We started from our ground bed at an early hour and went to Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Hd. Qrs. at Maj. Barbour’s, and breakfasted with him. ... Found an enemy posted on the river bank with artillery in earth-works; they opened a severe cannonading showing that they intended to defend the R.R. bridge crossing, but we moved up cavalry, infantry and artillery and opposed them while the main body of Jackson’s Corps moved on to Beverly’s (Cunningham’s) Ford where we had a cannonade as well as at the R.R. bridge, simultaneously, Longstreet coming up to the R.R. bridge in time to occupy it, or the front near it, tonight after we had marched on. A portion of our troops crossed the river at Beverly’s Ford and drove the enemy from it, taking some prisoners, gun, etc. ...The cannonading from both sides was quite heavy; the Yankees shelled the wood we were in. I was engaging getting the topography of the country and at a late hour hunted up the General coming in from the front. We spent the night at Mr. Thompson’s, near St. James Church. The General was very weary and much enjoyed a glass of milk I procured for him. There was a heavy shower of rain in the night."

Even Generals need their milk.

Rappahannock Station 2010

The last couple of days I have been walking and driving around the Rappahannock Station Battlefield (the November 7, 1863 fight) in preparation for a tour I intend to lead in late July.

It is amazing how much of the fields survived. All of the entrenchments and redoubts are gone, long gone. In the history of the 20th Maine Infantry, they note that the regiment camped on the site of the two forts and knocked them down so they could build their cabins.

But the fields where the Louisianans and North Carolinian's stood remains. You can see the curve of the hills and imagine those young men standing there as the Federals came forward in the twilight of November 7, 1863.

Much of the property is owned by Fauquier County, and is intended to be a park. Other portions of the land is owned by developer. Maybe that will change someday soon.

As I drove though the area, I was also able to identify the positions where Federal and Confederate artillery were placed, and where the Yankees sat in the early afternoon and readied themselves for what was to come.

Some has been saved, much more can be.