A visit to the Hansborough Ridge winter encampment has been on my bucket list ever since I picked up an issue of Blue and Gray magazine on Ebay many years ago with a feature article about it written by Clark “Bud” Hall. Yesterday I had the opportunity to go on a tour of the encampment conducted by Culpeper Battlefield Tours. Mr. Hall provided the background regarding the encampment and its preservation, and Chris Army led us on a walking tour of the field fortifications and huts on the ridge. After the morning tour, Mr. Hall spoke on Grant at Culpeper followed by an afternoon tour of the role of Hansborough Ridge in the battle of Brandy Station from Kelly’s Ford through Hansborough Ridge to Fleetwood Hill. This was the first time the ridge was opened to the public. It was an outstanding tour from start to finish. The highlight for me was the winter encampment and an opportunity to spend time with Mr. Hall. There would be no Brandy Station battlefield today for us to enjoy if not for ”Bud” Hall. His role in its preservation cannot be overstated.

Three images of some of the hundreds of huts.

Two videos of the end of Mr. Hall’s presentation where he touches on the preservation of Hansborough’s Ridge and its role in the battle of Brandy Station.