Rivers and river crossings played an important role in many Civil War battles, including the Battle of Brandy Station. A mile northwest of this spot is Beverly Ford, where the cavalry of both the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac planned to cross the Rappahannock River on the foggy morning of June 9, 1863. Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's 9,700 Southern horsemen were the vanguard of Gen. Robert E. Lee's offensive, which climaxed at the Battle of Gettysburg three weeks later. The Federals, unaware of enemy activity in the area, sent an 11,000-man force under Brig. Gen. Alfred Pleasonton to disperse and destroy the enemy cavalry. Pleasonton split his force to cross the Rappahannock River, with half led by Brig. Gen. David M. Gregg crossing at Kelly's Ford and half led by Brig. Gen. John Buford crossing at Beverly Ford. Believing Stuart's cavalry to be at Culpeper Court House, Pleasonton planned for his men to reunite at Brandy Station before moving in for the kill. Stuart's troopers were instead much closer, in the vicinity of Brandy Station. A detachment of the 6th Virginia Cavalry under Capt. Bruce Gibson was positioned near Beverly Ford that morning. As the Federals splashed across the river at dawn, Gibson shouted, "Stay cool, men, and shoot to kill!" But the Federals were present in force: 4,500 cavalry, 1,500 infantry, and 16 cannon. The Battle of Brandy Station, the single largest cavalry engagement of the Civil War, began at this river ford much to the surprise of both armies.
