Lunch at Kelly's Ford

Our class caravanned to Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock for a picnic lunch and a lecture about the ford's role in the Battle of Brandy Station.

On June 9, 1863, Union Cavalry crossed the Rappahannock River at Beverly's Ford and Kelly's Ford. The two forces totaled 11,000 men and were hunting for Confederates in the Culpeper area. They planned to meet at Brandy Station before advancing on Stuart’s cavalry.

Since the fords were important river crossings, they were used frequently during the Civil War.

On this tour (5/20/2011), the river was high and muddy. You could not have "forded" it, but a modern bridge makes that unnecessary.

On previous visits to Kelly's Ford, it was pretty and serene, as seen in this picture that Frank took 6 or 7 years ago.