Brandy Station Foundation’s list of events for 2008

Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: April 2, 2008

Park Day
April 5 - 11 Annual Park Day at Brandy Station Battlefield, sponsored by the Civil War Preservation Preservation Trust and the History Channel.
Millions of Americans visit Civil War battlefields every year - including the many that come to the Graffiti House, Brandy Station and Kelly's Ford battlefield. Maintaining and keeping these sites in good condition is a necessary, rewarding, but time-consuming job. Moreover, the task of improving these sites to make them more accessible and more informative to the public is always ongoing. Park Day is a nationwide event sponsored by the Civil War Preservation Trust and the History Channel, in conjunction with Take Pride in America. It is a day for volunteers to come and help reverse the wear and tear on these sites, while enjoying new interpretations from our experienced tour guides. Interested persons should bring work gloves, machetes, rakes, clippers, etc to the Graffiti House at 9 a.m. on April 5. T-Shirts and box lunches will be provided. For more information contact Richard Deardoff at 937-7718 or visit brandystationfoundation.com.

Battle of Brandy Station Tour: Beverly Ford & St. James Church
A tour will depart from the Civil War Graffiti House in Brandy Station at 10 a.m. April 5. The tour covers the early morning fighting between troops under the command of Union General John Buford and those commanded by his West Point classmate, Confederate General William E. "Grumble" Jones. Incidents examined include the death of Union Colonel Benjamin Franklin Davis in a one-on-one encounter with a Confederate lieutenant on the Beverly Ford Road, and the charge of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry (better known as "Rush's Lancers") against Confederate artillery at Saint James Church. Cost $10. For more information visit brandystationfoundation.com

Brandy Station's Graffiti House celebrates 150 years
If the walls of an historic 150-year-old Brandy Station house could talk, they would tell stories of war, death, grief and joy. But since walls can't talk, listen as descendants of Civil War soldiers speak for them. Join the Brandy Station Foundation for a 150th birthday celebration dinner on April 18 and meet Broadus Bowman whose ancestor, Sgt. Allen Bowman, turned his bayonet into a hoe after the war (sword into plowshare). David Bridges will explain how a man from Maryland came to fight for the Confederacy. The name of his ancestor, Breathed, became part of an intricate drawing in the house that is dated March 16, 1863, the day before the Battle of Kelly's Ford. Ed Kelley finds in his family tree an adventurer named J. Egbert Farnum who sailed on board the last slave ship in American history. Farnum goes on to become a Union Regimental Commander who wintered at Brandy Station and added graffiti to the house walls. Also that evening, the Brandy Station Foundation will release the results of the Architectural Study and Graffiti Preservation Report that were conducted over the past year with a grant funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Historic Resources. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the new Brandy Station Fire Hall and is part of the 2008 Culpeper Remembrance celebration. Cost: $25. RSVP by April 9. For more information, visit brandystationfoundation.com or call 540-727-7718

2008 Lecture Series
The Graffiti House hosts its 2008 lecture series from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Reservations are not required. Donations to the Brandy Station Foundation are welcomed and will be used for the operation and restoration of the house. Free refreshments will be served.

April 27 - Desperate Engagement: Jubal Early's Threat on Washington: Marc Leepson will tell about the Battle of Monocacy, July 9, 1864, and the march to the outskirts of Washington, D.C.

May 25 -The Atlanta Campaign: Richard Deardoff will describe the series of maneuvers between Chattanooga and Atlanta as Gen. Sherman went after General Johnston.

June 29 - Cavalry Fights in Fauquier County - Coffee Hill/Buckland Races: Joe McKinney will review the October 1863 actions at Auburn and Buckland, which was Stuart's last victory.

July 27 - West Point at the Outset of the War — Class of 1862: Brian McEnany will describe how these cadets, with divided loyalties, reacted to the beginnings of the War.

Aug. 31 -The Union executions at Beverly's Ford: Bud Hall will speak about the Aug. 29, 1863 execution of five men for desertion as the entire 5th Corps observed from a nearby hill.

Sept. 28 - Colonel and Mrs. J. Egbert Farnum (portrayed by Ed and Mary Kelley) will reminisce about their War experiences, including writing his name on the wall at the Graffiti House.

Oct. 26 - Recovering the Remains of Capt. Farley — Archeological Perspective. Dale Brown will describe the process of exhuming Capt. Will Farley's remains from the Fairview Cemetery that were reinterred in Laurens, S.C. Farley was one of JEB Stuart's key scouts.

2008 Battle of Brandy Station Driving Tours
BSF is presenting a series of two-hour tours, one devoted to each of the four engagements that comprise the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863. Transportation: Personal vehicle caravan will depart from the Graffiti House beginning at 10 a.m. No advance reservation required. Cost $10.

Beverly Ford & St. James Church — April 5, May 31, July 26
The first tour in the series covers the early morning fighting between troops under the command of Union General John Buford and those commanded by his West Point classmate, Confederate Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones. Incidents examined include the death of Union Col. Benjamin Franklin Davis in a one-on-one encounter with a Confederate lieutenant on the Beverly Ford Road, and the charge of the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry against Confederate artillery at Saint James Church.

Kelly's Ford & Stevensburg — April 19, June 14, Aug 9
The second tour in the series begins with a discussion of the Union river-crossing at Kelly's Ford, and then follows the route of march of the Union cavalry division commanded by Col. Alfred Napoleon Duffie, a deserter from the French army, to Stevensburg. The fighting at Stevensburg, a neglected aspect of the Battle of Brandy Station, is presented in detail. This tour concludes with a description of the mortal wounding of Captain William Farley, JEB Stuart's volunteer aide de camp.

Fleetwood Hill — May 3, June 28, Aug 23
The third tour focuses on the fighting for Fleetwood Hill, the most intense and prolonged combat on June 9, 1863. At one point 12 regiments - six Union and six Confederate - struggled for control of the hilltop. Unlike most Civil War battles, the troopers fought from the saddle, mostly with sabers. One frustrated Rebel was heard to shout at his Yankee opponent, "Why don't you Yankees put away your sabers, draw your pistols, and fight like gentlemen!"

Buford Knoll & Yew Ridge — May 17, July 12, Sept 6
The final installment in the series of tours presents the fighting that took place later in the afternoon of June 9 between Gen. Buford and Gen. W.H.F. "Rooney" Lee's brigade. During the fighting, Rooney Lee, Robert E. Lee's second son, was shot in the thigh and carried from the field. Col. Solomon Williams of 1st North Carolina Cavalry, commanding his regiment in battle for the first time, was shot in the head and killed. He had been married just two weeks earlier.

Dates to remember

April 19-20 - Remebrance Days in Culpeper -Living history presentation at the Graffiti House by the Fairfax Rifles and Little Fork Rangers. Free.

June 7 - Observance of the 145th anniversary of the Battle of Brandy Station. Reenactment at the battlefield and ball at Kelly's Ford.

June 21 - Horseback tour of the Battle of Brandy Station: Riders must furnish their own horses. Reservations are required in advance. Call 547-4106. Fee: $20

July 19-20 - Living history presentation at the Graffiti House - by the 49th Virginia Infantry.

Sep. 13-14 - Living history presentation at the Graffiti House - by the 2nd US Infantry.

Sept. 27 - Brandy Station Foundation picnic at Rose Hill

Oct. 25 - A Spirited Evening in Brandy Station with Civil War ghost stories

Dec. 6 - Graffiti House Christmas Party