163rd Anniversary of the Battle of Brandy Station

On SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026, Culpeper Battlefield Tours, LLC will commemorate the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Brandy Station with an unprecedented, multi-site historical event. For the first time ever, the public is invited to explore the restricted "Cathedral in the Woods" at Hansbrough’s Ridge and follow the tactical path of the Union’s daring Southern Wing.

Following the Flank: The Southern Wing: The tour will trace the critical maneuvers of Union General David McMurtrie Gregg and Col. Alfred Duffie. Participants will visit Kelly’s Ford and key locations in Stevensburg to witness where the Southern Wing launched its assault, providing the essential tactical context for the fierce fighting that defined the Stevensburg Phase of the battle.

The "Union’s Valley Forge" at Hansbrough’s Ridge: The tour culminates at Hansbrough’s Ridge, a site often referred to by historians as the “Union’s Valley Forge.” Serving as the 1863-64 winter encampment for the Army of the Potomac, this ground was where the Union army tempered itself into a professional fighting machine. Because the site is protected by a dense forest canopy, it remains a literal time capsule—historian Clark “Bud” Hall famously describes the experience of entering these woods as stepping into a “grand European cathedral.”

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity: Hansbrough’s Ridge contains the largest concentration of untouched Civil War encampment features in the United States, including original trenches, hut-sites, fire-pits, and military roads. Due to extreme archaeological sensitivity, public access is typically prohibited. This anniversary event represents a rare opportunity to traverse this restricted landscape.  Historian Clark “Bud” Hall, the preeminent authoritative expert on the Battle of Brandy Station, will provide an overview and introduction to the walking tour.

Keynote Lecture: Grant’s Arrival in Culpeper: In addition to the field tours, Clark Hall will deliver a midday lecture at the historic Inn at Kelly’s Ford. The presentation will detail General Ulysses S. Grant’s pivotal arrival in Culpeper County in 1864, a strategic shift that altered the trajectory of the American Civil War. The cost of the lunch is included in the tour price. 

Event Schedule – June 6, 2026:  

• 8:00 AM Registration
• 8:30 AM Southern Wing Tour
• 12:00 PM Lunch and Lecture
• 2:30 PM Hansbrough's Ridge Tour
• 5:30 PM Tour Concludes

Limited Tickets Available:  This tour is limited to only 50 total guests (two groups of 25) to protect the sensitive archaeological features of the Ridge.

Weather Policy: This is a rain-or-shine outdoor event.

Physical Requirements & Disclaimer:  Please be advised that this tour is physically demanding. Participation requires over 2 miles of hiking on uneven, wooded, and unpaved terrain. Guests should be in good physical condition, wear sturdy hiking boots, and be prepared for the natural outdoor conditions of the ridge.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:  Full refunds are available for cancellations made up to one week prior to the event date (no later than 11:59 PM on May 30, 2026).

Processing Fee: All refunds are subject to a $15.00 administrative processing fee per ticket.

Late Cancellations: Cancellations made within 7 days of the event are non-refundable due to the strictly limited capacity of the tours.

Transfers:  If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your ticket to another individual. Please contact us at info@culpeperbattlefieldtours.com to update the guest name for check-in.

Important Arrival Information:  Because Hansbrough’s Ridge is a sensitive, restricted site with specific access points, detailed parking directions and arrival instructions will be sent via email to all ticket holders 5 days prior to the event. Please ensure the email address used during checkout is monitored closely.