The Battle of Brandy Station: North America's Largest Cavalry Battle

by Eric J. Wittenberg, O. James Lighthizer (Foreword)

The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought on North American soil. A must-read for Civil War and Virginia history enthusiasts. Just before dawn on June 9, 1863, Union soldiers materialized from a thick fog near the banks of Virginia's Rappahannock River to ambush sleeping Confederates. The ensuing struggle, which lasted throughout the day and included some 20,500 soldiers, was to become known as the Battle of Brandy Station. By the end, Union casualties were 907 (69 killed, 352 wounded, and 486 missing, primarily captured) and Confederate losses totaled 523. Meticulously captured by historian, preservationist, and author Eric J. Wittenberg, these events marked a major turning point in the Civil War: the waning era of Confederate cavalry dominance in the East gave way to a confident and powerful Union mounted arm. This fascinating volume features a GPS guided tour of the battlefield with illustrations and maps by master cartographer Steven Stanley.

Genres: Civil War, History, American Civil War

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Eric J. Wittenberg is an American Civil War historian, author, lecturer, tour guide and battlefield preservationist. He is a practicing attorney in downtown Columbus, Ohio. His published works have focused especially on the Civil War cavalryman and the cavalry battles of the Civil War, with emphasis on the Army of the Potomac's Cavalry Corps

Reviews

[Jack Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to follow

I found it hard to follow the battle without an overview map that placed the small area maps. I would have preferred the author to follow a time line to describe positions and actions of troops. In spite of these comments, I found the book valuable for my research on the role Buford's orderly played in this famous cavalry battle.

[Jane Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information on a battle I knew little about. Makes me want to investigate more.

[Tom Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice read

Interesting read shows the lack of commanders on the union side except for a handful. Lack of knowing the battlefield from the union side except

[Blaine Pardoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard grumbles about this book but as a long time Civil War reader, I found it enjoying. Does it break new ground? Some. Is it the authoritative account of the battle? It is the best published account in 30 years - that much is for sure. Yes, I have heard that other authors have books coming out that will blow this one out of the water - but talk is cheap. I found this account to be compelling, well organized, well written and downright entertaining.

[Mark Luongo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial Series. Most people consider Wittenberg the dean of AOP cavalry writers and his work here is creditable as both a narrative and a guide (walking/driving) to the battlefield today. I believe this book is a precursor to his larger work on the battle, "Out Flew the Sabers."