‘The grandest charge … of the war’

Clark "Bud" Hall
Published: March 5, 2008

If you care about these things-and judging by the thoughtful e-mails coming my way, lots of you do-please drive out Beverly's Ford Road, northeast of Brandy Station. As you arrive at St. James Church Road (Route 676), take a left, and park. Walk north upon a small crest bordered by the ford road on the right, and Route 676 on the left. Then, gaze across the sweeping plateau to your front. And now, suddenly, you realize something momentous happened here, long ago. Right here, on this spot.

Recruited from Philadelphia's best families by Col. Richard Rush, "Rush's Lancers"-officially, the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry- had the tactical misfortune of riding into war burdened by a 9-foot, Austrian lance. This unwieldy spear proved impossible to deploy, and nary a Rebel got skewered by this impotent spike.

Derisively insulted as "Mexican Cavaliers," the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry had no choice but to bide its time.

In May 1863, the hated lances were unceremoniously collected; carbines were issued, and the sobriquet, "Rush's Lancers," was quietly retired. "Good riddance," asserted the Philadelphians.

The regiment now only chafed for a chance to display their mettle. They did not have to wait long. 

On the early morning of June 9, 1863, the 6th Pennsylvania crossed at Beverly's Ford as Union cavalry initiated the Battle of Brandy Station. Out ahead of the Key Staters, the fierce action was already well underway as other Federal regiments contested with Confederate defenders attempting to stymie the Yankee attack.

Leading his regiment up onto the plateau above Ruffin's Run, Major Robert Morris filed his men into the woods just west of the ford road. As the 365 troopers halted to align ranks, they heard thundering crashes that chilled their bones: "Boom! Boom!" These ominous blasts meant but one thing: Artillery fired ahead, "and it wasn't ours," one bluecoater noted.

Shortly, a courier galloped up. "Gen. Buford sends his compliments to Major Morris and directs him to clear the woods in his front." Now, we pause to mull over Morris' orders: He was directed "to clear the woods in his front." That is the sum and total of the edict to Morris from his commander. But orders aside, this sternly proud officer - a great-grandson and namesake of the American Revolution's financier - had far more in mind than "clearing" some woods.

As the Pennsylvanians resolutely moved forward, they noticed the enemy falling back "slowly before us," as if luring them into a trap. Up ahead, an opening in the trees loomed. Now out into the field, the Federals pulled in their reins and knuckles whitened as they observed an entire brigade of Rebel cavalry and artillery patiently waiting for them in front of a little brick church, 800 yards distant. And even though death stared them straight in the face, not a single Pennsylvanian doubted what would happen next. Three-hundred-sixty-five Philadelphians against more than 3,000 Rebels seemed about right to them.

After all, as one recalled, "We had a matter of pride to settle…"
In a charge that a Confederate termed "a dash of conspicuous gallantry," and the New York Times called, "The grandest charge…one of the finest of the war," the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry raced across the open plateau. Southern artillery opened up on their left flanks as blue attackers fell hard to the ground. Major Morris's horse collapsed in front of the church and the major was captured after losing a sword fight. (Major Morris died in Libby prison.)

Inevitably failing in this "daring and brilliant" assault that "deserved better success," an impressed Rebel asserted, 6th Pennsylvania survivors retreated back across the plateau "with ranks well closed up." But although withdrawing in good order, the Philadelphians lost more than 150 men during the day's action, more than twice any other Union regiment.

It is gratifying to note that after the Battle of Brandy Station, friend or foe never again insulted the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan has the last word: "No organization…enjoyed a more enviable reputation in every respect…"

Note: The Civil War Preservation Trust today owns the plateau charged over by the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and it will be forever protected as the sacred, hallowed ground it embodies.

Clark "Bud" Hall is the leading authority on Culpeper's role in the Civil War. E-mail .