Confederate horsemen numbering 9,500 under Gen. J.E.B. Stuart were concentrated around Brandy Station in preparation for the upcoming raid into Pennsylvania that would culminate at Gettysburg. Aware of this sizable Confederate cavalry presence, the Federal army sent Gen. Alfred Pleasonton with about 8,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry, instructing him to converge on Brandy Station in two wings and attack. At about 4:30 a.m. on June 9, 1863, 5,500 Union soldiers crossed the fog-shrouded Rappahannock River at Beverly's Ford and surprised the Confederate outposts. Southern horsemen, awakened by gunfire, hastily rode into the fighting partially dressed and often bareback, while Confederate artillerymen took up a formidable position astride Beverly's Ford Road. The 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry led an unsuccessful charge across the field, though troopers reached the very muzzles of the Confederate cannon. As Federal soldiers in this area sought another way around the artillery line, a second Federal wing suddenly appeared in the town of Brandy Station behind the Confederate position. The Confederates shifted forces to meet this new threat, and a series of mounted charges and countercharges swept back and forth across Fleetwood Hill. After dispersing the threat at Brandy Station, the Confederates turned again to the force that had initiated the battle and launched a counterattack near Yew Ridge. The Federals were ordered to withdraw just as that counterattack began. Despite being surprised twice in the same day, the Confederates retained the field. Union losses numbered 866, and Confederate casualties were reported to be 575.
