Location: Culpeper County, Virginia

Campaign: Cavalry Operations along the Rappahannock (March 1863)

Date: March 17, 1863

Principal Commanders:
Brig. Gen. William W. Averell [US];
Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee [CS]

Forces Engaged: Divisions (3,000 total)

Estimated Casualties: 200 total

Description:
Kelly’s Ford was one of the early larger scale cavalry fights in Virginia that set the stage for Brandy Station and cavalry actions of the Gettysburg campaign.

Twenty-one hundred troopers of Averell’s cavalry division crossed the Rappahannock River to attack the Confederate cavalry. Fitzhugh Lee counterattacked with a brigade of about 800 men. The "Gallant" Pelham was killed.

After achieving a localized success, Union forces withdrew in mid-afternoon.

Result: Inconclusive