Brandy Station 1863: First Step Towards Gettysburg

THE ROAD TO GETTYSBURG BEGAN AT BRANDY STATION ON JUNE 9, 1863. HOWEVER, THE CAVALRY CLASH IN CULPEPER COUNTY, VIRGINIA, COUNTS FOR MORE THAN JUST THE OPENING ROUND OF LEE`S SECOND INVASION OF THE NORTH. FOLLOWING 12 HOURS OF BITTER FIGHTING THE UNION FORCES WITHDREW BACK ACROSS THE RIVER, HAVING MATCHED THE CONFEDERATE CAVALRY IN SKILL AND DETERMINATION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES IN WHAT WAS THE LARGEST AND MOST HOTLY CONTESTED CLASH OF SABRES IN THE LONG AND BLOODY WAR.