Scenario # 5, Brandy Station Va –  9 June 1863
 

Historical Summary & Scenario Situation.
The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought on the North American Continent. Of the 20,000 soldiers involved, about 17,000 were of the mounted branch.

Taking advantage of an order to concentrate forces, JEB Stuart had a Grand Review of his cavalry division for the staff of the Army of Northern Virginia and selected civilians from Richmond. After the review Major General J.E.B. Stuart would assume a screen of the movement of the Army of Northern Virginia north with his 9,500-man cavalry division.  The Union knew that Confederate cavalry was around Culpeper. Army of the Potomac commander, Major General Joseph Hooker, interpreted the enemy cavalry's presence around Culpeper to be indicative of preparations for a raid on his army's supply lines. Accordingly, he ordered his Cavalry Corps commander, Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton to "break up Stuart's raid in its incipiency."

The Confederates apparently did not expect any harassment from the enemy cavalry, for the day before the important screening mission was scheduled to take place, the grand review was held for General Robert E. Lee at Inlet Station, just two miles southwest of Brandy Station. Meanwhile, 8,000 Federal cavalrymen, organized into three divisions, and about 3,000 Northern infantrymen were preparing to disrupt the Confederate plans.

About 4:30 a.m. on June 9th, Brigadier General John Buford's column of 5,500 soldiers splashed across the fog-shrouded Rappahannock River surprising the Confederate pickets at Beverly's Ford. Nearby Southern horsemen from Brigadier General William "Grumble" Jones' brigade, awakened by the sound of gunfire, rode into the fray partially dressed and often riding bareback. They struck Buford's leading brigade, commanded by Colonel Benjamin F. "Grimes" Davis, near a bend in the Beverly's Ford Road and temporarily checked its progress. In the fighting Davis was killed.

The Southerners were shifting to meet this new threat, when they received their second surprise of the day. Brigadier General David M. Gregg's Union division of about 2,800 men had crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford and proceeded by a circuitous route that was completely unguarded to Stuart’s parade field. His lead brigade under Colonel Percy Wyndham arrived about 11 a.m. Between Gregg’s division and the battle between Buford and Stuart at St. James Church was a prominent ridge called Fleetwood Hill. The eminence had been Stuart's headquarters, but the general was at the front and the only force left on Fleetwood was a 6-pound howitzer. Major Henry B. McClellan of Stuart's staff pressed this gun into service and sent a desperate plea to his chief for reinforcements. Wyndham meanwhile formed his men into line and charged up the western slope of Fleetwood. As he neared the crest, the lead elements of Jones's brigade, which had just withdrawn from St. James Church, rode over the crown.  Gregg's next brigade, led by Colonel Judson Kilpatrick, swung around east of Brandy Station and attacked up the southern end and the eastern slope of Fleetwood Hill, only to discover that their appearance coincided with the arrival of Hampton's Confederates. A series of confusing charges and countercharges swept back and forth across the hill. The Confederates cleared the hill for the final time, capturing three guns and inflicting 30 casualties among the 36 men of the 6th New York Light Artillery, which had attempted to give close-range support to the Federal cavalry. Despite being surprised by his adversary twice in the same day, Stuart was able to retain the field. Union losses numbered 866; Confederate casualties were reported at 575. But the overwhelming superiority that the Confederate cavalry once enjoyed was gone.

This scenario starts with the advance of the lead brigade of Gregg’s Division toward Fleetwood Hill.  Major McCellan of Stuart’s staff has sent a request for reinforcements.  The two teams in this scenario play the forces of Generals “Grumble” Jones, Wade Hampton, and the cavalry division of David Gregg.  The game lasts 6 turns representing the apex of the battle at Fleetwood Hill.

Scenario Victory Conditions.
Victory is determined by possession of the Junction Hex on Fleetwood Hill. The determination of the scenario winner is done at the end of T6.

Historical Results.
While the force of D.M. Gregg came close to the seizing the headquarters tent of JEB Stuart, his attempt fell short. The absence of Alfred Duffie’s division allowed the Confederates to achieve mass and superiority. The real result of this action was not in its tactical failure but in the damage it did to JEB Stuart’s psyche. Now knowing that he could be challenged was not a fact that sat well with Stuart. To redeem himself, in his own eyes, the brilliant cavalry leader failed his commander by choosing to launch a raid during the summer offensive when his talents were needed for operational combat intelligence. His apology on July 2d at Gettysburg would never be enough.

Special Instructions.
No units are allowed to go into breastworks (form: bw command).

Any deliberate violation of this restriction is grounds for a forfeit by the offending team.

Reference URLs:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18&n=4266224&e=254080&s=50&loc=Brandy+Station
http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/civilwar/brandystation/fleetwood.asp