Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to episode 306 of our Civil War Podcast.

I'm Rich.

And I'm Tracy.

Hello y'all.

Welcome to the podcast.

As y'all recall, we used the last couple of episodes to talk about Brandy's station.

Here on the podcast, as we keep the story arc moving forward toward Gettysburg, the

clash at Brandy's station on June 9th, 1863, is noteworthy since it was the first engagement

of the Gettysburg campaign.

And it's also significant since it proved to be the largest cavalry battle of the entire

war.

Although it was quite the dust up, and even though, when all was said and done, Alfred

Pleasanton's Union Horseman withdrew back across the Rapa Hannock, the battle, if we

look at the big picture, actually didn't yield any strategic gains for either side,

since Brandy's station had little, if any, impact on the Gettysburg campaign.

Although he rebounded nicely after being caught totally by surprise, and though his men

ultimately held the field, Confederate cavalry commander Jeb Stewart was roundly criticized

both within the army and by the Southern press for being caught napping.

For Stewart, who was, shall we say, very aware of his reputation, these criticisms must

have stung.

Almost certainly the most significant consequence of Brandy's station was its impact on the

federal horseman.

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