Busy weekend planned for Brandy Station Foundation

Thursday, Mar. 14 | By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

By Ray Finefrock
Times-Democrat Staff Writer

On March 17, 1863, 2,100 Federal troops under the leadership of Brigadier Gen. William Averell clashed with 800 Confederate forces directed by Brigadier Gen. Rooney Lee in Culpeper County.

Although the Union forces achieved some success, they retreated without destroying Lee's cavalry.

The battle helped set the stage for the June 9 action at Brandy Station, a cavalry clash that was to be the largest of all time.

This Saturday and Sunday, the Brandy Station Foundation will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Kelly's Ford with a series of events designed to inform, entertain and raise money for the organization.

First up is a driving tour of Kelly's Ford, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The caravan driving tour begins at the Inn at Kelly's Ford and the cost is $25. For more information contact Brandy Station Foundation president Joe McKinney at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or: (540) 727-7718.

A ball at the historic Inn at Kelly's Ford, 16589 Edwards Shop Road,, begins at 6 p.m. Saturday. Attire is period dress or black tie optional and the cost is $85 per person, which includes a dinner buffet and cookies made from a favorite recipe of Mrs. Robert E. Lee. There will also be silent auction items available and a cash bar.

Music will be provided by the widely acclaimed Second South Carolina String Band. The band was featured in the 1993 film “Gods and Generals” by Ron Maxwell.

Proceeds will be divided between the historic Graffiti House in Brandy Station and the land purchase of the crest of Fleetwood Hill, a critical observation point throughout the war and J.E.B Stuart's headquarters prior to the Battle of Brandy Station.

For more information contact ball co-chairman Cecilia Schneider at: (540) 727-7718 or e-mail her at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or co-chairman Jane Brookins at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

On Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a symposium on the Battle of Kelly's Ford at Ripley Hall at the Inn at Kelly's Ford.

There will be outstanding speakers and a chance to remember Confederate Major John Pelham – known as "The Gallant Pelham" – the chief of Stuart's artillery who was mortally wounded in the battle.

Among the speakers will be Virginia Morton, author of “Marching Through Culpeper” and Amy Belcher who will discuss Confederate spy Laura Radcliffe. There will be period music and a delicious lunch.

The cost is $45 per person. For more information contact Schneider at: (540) 727-7718 or: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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