Battle of Brandy Station

The Battle of Brandy Station is most widely known for the climactic action that took place on the important high ground of Fleetwood Hill. Preceding this was the initial Confederate defensive position that was hastily formed along a low plateau between the home of Mary Gee and St.James Church. This line was held by mounted and dismounted cavalry and sixteen pieces of artillery and was important to protect Fleetwood to the rear.

The tour will give a brief look at the events leading up to this position as well as what was going on at the same time and afterwards, but focus on the specific area, including the Union plan and attack and the Confederate response. We will also discuss the players involved and their roles and responses throughout the battle.

This land has been preserved by the American Battlefield Trust and portions have been turned over to the state of Virginia as the commonwealth’s 43 rd State Park, so join us to explore the well-preserved fields to see the Union cavalry’s perspective and inspect the lines held by JEB Stuart’s men. The hike will be over open and slightly rolling fields and gravel roads and be less than 1.5 miles. Insect repellent is recommended.

The tour will meet at the Southern States convenience store and gas station, and we will caravan from there to the St. James Church line.

Tracy Baer is a native of Chambersburg, PA, where he lives with his wife and four dogs. After receiving his BA from Shippensburg University in 1983, Tracy stepped into the family business, Baer’s Sign Service, and took over ownership in 1995. Growing up in an area with a very rich Civil War history has given him many opportunities to study and research that pivotal time of the Nation’s past. Tracy became a Federally Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg National Military Park in 2016 and been able to meet people from around the world and show them that hallowed ground. He is also a certified battlefield guide for Culpeper Battlefield Tours in Virginia, focusing on the Battle of Brandy Station and the 1863 Winter Encampment. He also frequently speaks in person or remotely to organizations on various aspects of the war. Tracy also developed a Civil War related walking tour of his hometown along with a driving tour of Franklin County. He is also active in researching and preserving the memories of the African American Civil War soldiers buried in Chambersburg’s Mt. Vernon.

Michael Lentz, also known as “Six Questions” by Addressing Gettysburg followers, has been a certified guide with Culpeper Battlefield Tours since 2022. Originally from Colorado, Lentz moved to Pennsylvania in 2019 in order to pursue becoming a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg.