The Battle of Kelly’s Ford was fought on March 17, 1863, and was one of the early larger-scale cavalry fights in Virginia that set the stage for Brandy Station and cavalry actions of the Gettysburg campaign. Union General William Averell fought his way across Kelly’s Ford with about 2,100 men and then advanced his cavalry division up Kelly’s Ford Road toward Brandy Station. Averell ran into resistance from Confederate General Fitzhugh Lee’s brigade resulting in a series of mounted charges and countercharges. After Confederate Major John Pelham was mortally wounded leading a cavalry charge, Lee’s brigade fell back another mile and took up a position on the Property. Averell resumed his advance, continuing along Kelly’s Ford Road until he encountered Lee’s troopers on the Property. A small stream named Carter’s Run, which flows across the Property into the Rappahannock River, separated the opponents. Lee ordered his brigade to charge, and was met by Averell. As fighting ensued, Confederate troops of the 2nd and 4th Virginia crossed the Property and tried to turn Averell’s flank. After tearing down a fence, they charged across the Property at the Federal position. Repulsed by firing from the 6th New York independent battery, the Virginians fell back. Averell advanced as far as Carter’s Run but did not press his advantage. Deterred by the accurate fire of Lee’s horse artillery, Averell’s gunners engaged in a counter-battery duel for a time until he finally broke off the engagement and withdrew, ending the Battle of Kelly’s Ford. The Property captures most of the crucial fighting during the battle, incorporating the wide, flat, open fields east of Carter’s Run where the heaviest fighting and casualties took place.
Historians and preservationists donate time and resources to create interpretive center at Culpeper, Va. battlefield site (Culpeper, Va.) – The Civil War Trust, the nation’s largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization, has partnered with Culpeper, Va.-based businesses and local preservationists to complete the installation of an interpretive center at the Kelly’s Ford Battlefield. Signage, fencing, trails and other amenities are among the additions comprising the interpretive center, dedicated on the battle’s 150th anniversary. In November 2012, the Trust secured an easement on a 964-acre turf farm owned by the Woodward family, among the largest transactions in the organization’s 25-year history, with the intention of not only preserving, but interpreting the site. The landowners, Scott and Sam Woodward, agreed to donate time and labor to build, maintain and manage the center. Local businesses, historians and preservationists also donated time, energy and resources to complete the project, including Cedar Mountain Stone, Culpeper Wood Preservers, Kipps Nursery, CFC Farm Center, and the Trust. “My brother and I have learned much about the history of our property in the past few years.” remarked Sam Woodward. “And, as we discussed it, we realized we had an obligation to be stewards of the land and recognize its unusual history”, added Scott Woodward. “This is the right thing to do. The trust and our consultant have worked with us and we are very pleased with their efforts to aid us in our desire to protect this farmland for our family and community.” “The Woodwards have been incredible throughout this process,” project consultant and local conservationist Jamie Craig said. “”This is a unique property in that it encapsulates centuries of American history. This acquisition is a significant asset now protected and preserved for future generations — thanks to the help and dedication of the Woodwards, the Trust, local and state officials, and local business’s who have supported our efforts..” The Woodward property is nearly 2 square miles flooded with history commencing long before English settlers explored this area. Nestled along the Rappahannock River, the property includes portions of the Old Carolina Road, Norman’s Ford and the Carter House, formerly belonging to Robert “King” Carter, arguably the most successful colonial businessman of his era. It is also the site of the Battle of Kelly’s Ford. The Battle of Kelly’s Ford, fought on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1863, was the first large-scale cavalry battle in the war. It provided a huge morale boost for the Union cavalry, which was then in the process of transforming into a formidable fighting force. The most famous of the battle’s 200 casualties was Confederate artillerist Maj. John Pelham, of whom Stonewall Jackson wrote, after the Battle of Antietam, “with a Pelham on each flank I believe I could whip the world,” and whom Robert E. Lee dubbed “the Gallant Pelham” after the Battle of Fredericksburg. Pelham had been calling on a young lady nearby in Culpeper when the sound of gunfire drew him towards the battle. Although he was not in direct command of troops on the field, he led the first charge on the Union line and was mortally wounded by a shell fragment in the attempt. Legendary cavalier J.E.B. Stuart wept upon hearing the news, exclaiming that “our loss is irreparable,” and named his daughter, born that autumn, after his fallen comrade. The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. To date, the Trust has preserved more than 35,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states. Learn more at www.civilwar.org, the home of the Civil War sesquicentennial.
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