Visitors flock to Culpeper battlefields

Clark “Bud” Hall
Published: May 21, 2008

Over the past 23 years, it has been my privilege to conduct hundreds of tours of Civil War sites in Culpeper County for thousands of visitors from all over our country — as well as intrepid folks hailing from foreign shores.

While most of these visitors have toured the vital Brandy Station Battlefield, I have escorted many over venues at Cedar Mountain, Kelly’s Ford, Morton’s Ford, Freeman’s Ford, Mount Pony, Hansbrough’s Ridge, and other lesser-known sites, such as Stony Point, Rocky Ford and Paoli’s Mill.

Civil War travelers have arrived on busses, vans, bicycles, horses, government sedans, aircraft, motorcycles, and on foot from places as far away as Seattle. Many senior government officials have walked over Brandy Station with me, including the secretary of the interior; several congressmen; at least four U.S. senators; local politicians; National Park Service officials; archeologists, and planning and zoning managers.

I have greeted spirited West Point Cadets and graduating Naval Academy Midshipmen from Annapolis. Focused Pentagon officers have arrived on “staff rides” at Brandy Station, as well as an entire class from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. As a former Marine, it was a special honor to host the commanding general of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico.

Civil War round tables, historical societies, seminar groups, school classes and upscale touring outfits from all over the world (England, Australia, Germany, etc.) have often visited Culpeper. Civil War cavalry reenactors retain a special passion for Brandy, as for over two decades, I have dodged charging legions of “Yankee and Rebel troopers” near St. James Church.

It is also fact that a month does not pass that I do not receive several inquiries from folks seeking information regarding the sites where their ancestors fought, died, camped and marched in Culpeper County. Each query is answered as completely as if I were responding to a family member—which, come to think of it, covers the sheer truth of the matter.

Although “compensation for services” has been generously offered, I have never taken a single nickel in fees or expense money for the favor of conducting these tours (or writing this column). Actually, I am grateful to be asked. If folks insist on contributing funds, I ask them to instead write out a check to the worthy battlefield preservation initiatives undertaken by the Brandy Station Foundation and the Civil War Preservation Trust.

Is there a “typical” Civil War battlefield sightseer to Culpeper? Not really. Our honored guests come in all genders, colors, ages and levels of interest. But human diversity aside, I do believe the one thing our guests most have in common is that they care. And if you care enough to honor those who fought and died here by visiting their sacred battlefields, then you have the everlasting gratitude of those of us just like you, who also care.

In this order, the Civil War personalities that Culpeper battlefield visitors are most interested in learning about: Robert E. Lee; Stonewall Jackson; JEB Stuart; John Pelham; John Mosby; George Custer and Ulysses S. Grant. Their favorite battlefield vista: Unquestionably, the view west from “Buford’s Knoll,” on the Cunningham Farm; or, the landscape covering the slopes of majestic, deadly Cedar Mountain.

My favorite Culpeper battle site: Because of my own sensitivity to this particular site, the answer must remain a secret. Suffice it to say, though, it is almost never visited and yet many men fought and died in this remote little valley on the huge Brandy Station Battlefield. And there is no doubt many troopers, Blue and Gray, remain buried in this isolated, sacred spot.

Columnist’s note:
I soon take off alone for several weeks in Alaska’s back country, and the Star-Exponent’s editors have granted me the courtesy to suspend this column until I return — or yield instead to a marauding grizzly, with no sense of taste.

My “lifelong” writing project—a book manuscript 20 years in the making on the Battle of Brandy Station (which I am sarcastically asked about at least once a day by obnoxious friends) —is now in its final editing phase. (Ye-hah!) Also in preparation is a “Civil War History of Culpeper County, Virginia.” I hope someday you’ll enjoy both — that is, if you care.
Semper Fi…

Clark “Bud” Hall is the leading authority on Culpeper’s role in the Civil War. E-mail .