June 9, 1863
Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought on American soil.
The southern cavalry led by Jeb Stuart who is probably the most famous cavalryman during the Civil War fought the Union cavalry to a draw during the battle.
The Confederates did control the field when it was over so in that sense they won.
This was not the important aspect of the battle however.
The most important thing that came out of this battle was that this was the high water mark for the Southern cavalry.
From here on the rebel cavalry was in a slow decline. They were no longer the invincible force they had been previously during the war.
The Union cavalry had grown from a bunch of city folk who could barely ride a horse let along fight on one at the beginning of the war to very skilled and veteran cavalrymen who had learned how to ride and fight just as well as the rebels.
This battle proved that the Union cavalry could finally stand up to their southern counterparts.
