Take a comprehensive battlefield tour of the battle of Cedar Mountain; August 9, 1862, and the battle of Brandy Station; June 9, 1863.
This day tour covers the two most dramatic battles in Culpeper County, Virginia. The first, Cedar Mountain, is the last independent command of Stonewall Jackson. The second, Brandy Station, is part of the opening phase of the Gettysburg Campaign and the largest cavalry battle in North America.
Your private battlefield tour will start in front of the Cedar Mountain battlefield contact station. Receive a tour introduction and hear about President Lincoln’s plan for a second front against the back door of Richmond. Union General Pope is sent and will initiate total war on Virginia soil for the first time.
See where Union General Pope’s advancing division under General Nathaniel Banks arrives.
Stand on the Old Orange & Culpeper Road as Jackson’s Army of the Valley arrives.
Take a leisurely walk on a one-mile loop trail as you watch the battle unfold before your eyes.
Much of the tour will take place on hallowed ground preserved by the American Battlefield Trust.
See where the battle hung in the balance as Stonewall Jackson will rally his men, truly one of those epic Civil War moments in history.
We’ll take a 30-minute lunch break where your battlefield guide will give you a recommendation for a quick counter service location or restaurant if requested.
After lunch, take a historic tour of charming downtown Culpeper. This tour will include a stop at the Culpeper National Cemetery where numerous Civil War monuments can be seen.
Afterward, we’ll travel to Brandy Station outside of Culpeper as we discuss Robert E. Lee’s plans to invade the North a second time.
At Brandy Station, we’ll discuss the large Confederate cavalry screen of Lee’s invasion forces there and US General Joseph Hooker’s plans to destroy or disperse them.
The tour will see the location of the Confederate cavalry review field.
We’ll see the various cavalry action between J. E. B. Stuart and General Alfred Pleasonton’s forces where General Buford would say out flew the sabers, and most handsomely they were used.
At Fleetwood Hill, you will see where the cavalry fought, saber to saber, pistol to pistol, saddle to saddle, and stirrup to stirrup.
There is much amazingly more to the opening phase of the Gettysburg Campaign and the largest cavalry battle in the Civil War, and we’ll take you there!
In the end, your battlefield guide will take you back to the tour starting location at the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Contact Station with commentary.
This private battlefield tour pairs nicely with the battles of Mine Run and The Wilderness: After Gettysburg combo tour. Taking place in November of 1863 and May of 1864, it will pick up where you left off and start after the Gettysburg Campaign.
Let us show you the way as you relax and skip the self-guided tour hassle. Your own battlefield guide will meet you in front of the Cedar Mountain Battlefield Contact Station.
After an introduction, your battlefield guide will join your vehicle as you depart to your first stop. It is recommended that the battlefield guide drive your vehicle so you can relax and enjoy the tour, but it’s up to you who drives.
Joining your vehicle keeps the cost down so you can see more battlefields with us.
Step-on battlefield guides are available for larger passenger vehicles (van or bus). For more information and prices, please contact us.
Note: The battles of Cedar Mountain and Brandy Station can be tailored into one of our Custom Battlefield Tours.
