Remembering the battle of Kelly's Ford

Register now for the Battles of Kelly's Ford and Kellysville May 14-15, 2005 reenactment! REMEMBERING THE BATTLE OF KELLY’S FORD In May, re-enactors stage the Civil War Battle of Kelly’s Ford near the banks of the Rappahannock River. The two-day event takes place on the 150-acre grounds of the Inn at Kelly’s Ford. Each year, Major John Pelham, the greatest Confederate artillerist, rides onto the field with a gleam of victory in his eyes. The young officer charges with gallantry, but proved fatal when a piece of shrapnel catches him in the skull and the re-enactors take the Major off of the field, never to awaken again. Pelham was one of about 300 casualties of the 3,000-man battle, the first time the Federal cavalry went on the attack and proved it could hold its own against their Confederate opponents. Kelly’s Ford also marked the first real saber-to-saber fighting of the war. Officers fight on the field, Federal versus Confederate, Yankee versus Rebel. Cavalry, infantry and artillerists play out the battle in front of the green fields next to the Rappahannock River. Even children understand the age-old rivalry that is played. As one commander was recently quoted, “ It’s special because you get to fight where fighting was actually done, it’s beautiful, it’s God’s country and the host says, ‘tell me what you need’. All in all it’s a real good event.” The last three years Historian Clark Hall called the play-by-play action. The teams doing battle need no introduction; re-enactors from the North and South have been skirmishing since the real fighting ended in 1865. Entering the gates of the Battlefield you will find numerous Sutlers purveying their wears. Each day there are numerous presentations, skirmishes, campsite tours and races. Also, there are purveyors of 19th century popular music of camp and parlor involved in the re-enacting of the March 17, 1863, Battle of Kelly’s Ford. There is also a dance for all re-enactors on Saturday night with Brunswick Stew, entertainment and fun for everyone. The event is sponsored by the Inn at Kelly’s Ford and the Brandy Station Foundation.