History spotlight: The Graffiti House

Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: August 24, 2007

The Graffiti House in Brandy Station got its name from 12 second-story walls that contain Civil War soldiers' names, dates of battles, drawings of women, soldiers and men resembling doctors or supervisors.

The house served as a hospital for Confederate soldiers and a supply depot for both armies. After the war, it was used as personal residence and went through about 12 owners. Paint and wallpaper covered the walls, concealing and protecting the graffiti that remained hidden until 1992.

Its previous owner was going to demolish the building. When he sent his son to obtain some of the wood paneling, the graffiti was discovered and a putty knife was used to remove some of the plaster, paint and wallpaper.

From that point on, the building was refurbished and is now owned by the Brandy Station Foundation.

The Battle of Cedar Mountain

On Aug. 9, 1862, Confederate and Union forces clashed six miles south of the town of Culpeper in an area that became known as Cedar Mountain (along U.S. 15). Gen. Stonewall Jackson and his Rebels, marching north from Orange County, narrowly defeated a force marching south from Culpeper led by Gen. Nathaniel Banks. Some accounts say it was the hottest battle of the war, with temperatures hitting 98 degrees and men dying on the long, dusty march. This is considered the opening battle of the Second Manassas campaign. Today the area is privately owned farmland with four roadside markers and an interpretive walking trail.

The Battle of Kelly's Ford

On March 17, 1863, Union cavalry crossed the Rappahannock River at Kelly's Ford in what has been called "the first purely cavalry fight east of the Mississippi River" of any appreciable size. The battle, which caught Confederates off guard, was the first opportunity for Union cavalry to amass a significant force. In the end, the Southern horsemen repulsed the attack. Public access to this area and the river are provided by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. A marker denotes the spot of Confederate Major John Pelham's fatal wounding, and another larger monument is on U.S. 29 in Elkwood.

Battle of Brandy Station

On June 9, 1963, the Battle of Brandy Station became the largest cavalry battle fought on the North American continent. Of the 20,000 soldiers involved, about l7,000 were on horses. Brandy Station was also the first battle of the war's most famous campaign - Gettysburg. For the first time in the Civil War, union cavalry matched the Confederate horsemen in skill and determination. But, again, the Rebels narrowly won the day. Today, the area is a picturesque view of rolling farmland. Interpretive markers and walking trails offer descriptions of the area, highlighting significant sites. Most of the area is privately owned.

History / Research

The Brandy Station Foundation
c/o Della Edrington
P. O. Box 165
Brandy Station, VA 22714
Phone: 825-4543

Culpeper Genealogical Society
Strives to obtain and make available for research historical and genealogical documents. Also educates people about how to conduct genealogical research.
Phone: 825-5466
E-mail:
Online: rootsweb.com/~vacgs

Culpeper Historical Society
c/o Mr. Thomas O'Halloran
5537 Glengary Lane   
Viewtown, VA 22746
Phone: 937-3021

Culpeper Historical Society, Genealogy Research
c/o Francis Walters
2126 Orange Road
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 825-0232

Germanna Memorial Foundation of Va,
2062 Germanna Highway
P.O. Box 693, Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 423-1700 or 423-1746
E-mail:

Culpeper County Library
Southgate Shopping Center
Phone: 825-8691

Culpeper National Cemetery
Est'd. 1867; includes Civil War graves.
305 U.S. Avenue
Phone: 825-0027

Museum of Culpeper History
803 S. Main St.
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 829-1749
E-mail:
Online: culpepermuseum.com
     
Order of the Southern Gray,
Cedar Mtn. Chapter 
A Confederate Heritage Organization  
c/o Mrs. Dyanne Holt
17735 Reva Road
Reva VA 22735
Phone: 547-3896 

Rappahannock Historical Society
Box 261, 328 Gay Street
Washington, VA 22747
Phone: 675-1163

Record Room in Clerk's Office/ Culpeper Courthouse
135 West Cameron Street   Phone: 727-3438

Town Clerk's Office
400 S. Main St.
For information about Fairview Cemetery burials.
Phone: 829-8240

HISTORICAL BOOKS, MAPS
AND OTHER ITEMS FOR SALE

The Museum of Culpeper History
See listing on this page.

The Corner Shelf Book Store
451 James Madison Hwy., Suite 104
Phone: 825-4411