Battle of Brandy Station After Action Report

Dragoons,

The 160th commemoration of the battle of Brandy Station now "belongs to the ages."  It took a grand effort on a grand scale to bring together about 126 horses (blue and gray combined) plus dismounted troopers and all the logistics needed to make this type of event possible.  Commended in this dispatch is our own Lieutenant  Scott Womack (Breveted back to Captain to be adjutant to the Colonel on the field) and our dear friend from the 17th PA, Norm Hoerer, overall commander of the Federal Cavalry force.  Thanks for all the hard and dedicated work that goes into the planning and logistics of the event.

Saturday began early and became a long and action-filled day.  We were in the saddle by 0800, riding the three or so miles en route to Beverly's Ford, crossing over Buford's Knoll as we went, to re-enact the first contact the morning of June 9, 1863.  The 2nd US had the privilege of leading the Order of March of the entire column down to the ford.  We were met there by Bud Hall et al. to reflect on the action when the federal cavalry first crossed the ford at 0400 on the morning of the 9th.  Our first tactical action was with the Confederates, who simulated the push of the gray troopers back towards St James Church.  Our original task was to hold the right flank, but as often happens, "tactical plans never survive first contact."  What happened changed dramatically.  As we were the first in line, we pushed the rebs hard down Beverly's Ford Road until they came to an open field.  The Illinois company behind us was to go around our rear and take a position on our left flank, and the Michigan unit behind them was to take up the extreme left flank of our line.  What actually ensued was that Illinois became our right flank, and Michigan became the extreme federal right.  When this happened, we lost the left flank for a time, and it took all the efforts of the 2nd US to gain it back.  If the rebel force in 1863 was even half as stubborn as the rebel re-enacting force was on this day, no wonder the battle took over 12 hours to conclude.  Kudos to Sergeant Barry Kruis for figuring out what I wanted and what was needed in shouting orders to get the job done.  The Confederates were finally pushed back a mile or so to the woods, where we took a break in the action to rest our steeds and ourselves.

At noon, the action switched to the fight at St James Church.  This spectator-viewed event consisted of reenacting the 6th PA charge on Confederate gun emplacements.  It was a surreal honor to do this on the exact ground that it occurred 160 years ago.  Drones in the air and go-pros on the ground captured the charge across this open and exposed field.  What a grand charge it was as about 72 horses (some were galvanized confederates) in single rank line of battle raced bravely towards a battery of seven cannons blazing away.  The 2nd US had the distinction of crossing over the creek to within 30 yards of the cannon.  We held that position for almost 5 minutes before being displaced and rallying back to the Colonel.

Saturday evening, we rode to Fleetwood Hill to reflect and reenact the action that took place there, led and narrated again by Bud Hall.  I want to commend the unit and their mounts for so diligently following the day's orders and persevering through it all. 

Sunday started nicely with a church call at the exact location of St James Church, led by our own LT Womack. The call centered on a life of service by example. Several troopers and others who knew Charlie Doutt shared stories of the grace and character he showed us during his time on this earth.  

The day’s battle, however, was a different story. Leave it to the rebs not to play according to the rules. What was supposed to be a scripted scenario for spectators turned out to be a tactical battle that could only be described as, "WHAT THE &@#$% ARE THEY DOING?!" 

Colonel Norm and Brevet Captain Womack soon sorted it all out, and we finally made a fine showing for the crowd, ending in a pass in review.

All battles aside, we all know an army marches on its stomach.  I thank Trooper Sopko for volunteering to be "Hopsing" for the weekend and keeping us well-fed and hydrated.  Even with his battle wound over his right eye, he still could see his way around the kitchen and served us all well with the help of his assistant, Trooper Jonathan Betancourt.  Mark can genuinely say, "I was wounded on the fields of Brandy Station.”

In conclusion, many riders who hadn't ridden with us in a while joined us during this event. Out of 14 riders at full strength in the company, we represented seven states: VA, WV, MD, NJ, PA, GA, and CO.  I wholeheartedly thank you all for your participation and willingness to follow me into a simulated battle. I hope it was a memorable experience. 

I remain,

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,

Brad E. Thomas

Captain, Commanding

2nd U.S. Cavalry Company A/9th Virginia Cavalry Company D