Spindle Place
For 10 days, July 21st to July 31st, 1863, this was the headquarters
of Brigadier-General George A. Custer, U.S. Army. He commanded the
3rd division of the Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, which consisted
of approximately 1500 Union cavalrymen. His orders were to oversee
operations in the vicinity of the Rappahannock River.
From this house Custer directed his men to attack Confederate troops
retreating from the Battle of Gettysburg. Moving south on the Richmond
Road (present-day Route 729) toward Culpeper, the Confederate troops
under Lieut.-General A. P. Hill were surprised by Custer and his
troopers at the foot of Battle Mountain on July 23, 1863. During
the intense fighting, Custer and his men were repulsed by Georgia
troops commanded by Brig.-General Henry Benning , who made a quick
cross-country march back from Culpeper County to reinforce Hill's
men. Custer and his command were forced to make a hasty retreat
back to Amissville. The Confederate troops of Lee's army continued
unmolested to Culpeper, and Custer remained here for another week
before being ordered with his men to Warrenton.
The house was built by William Spindle, who gave it to Molly Carter.
Molly's son, Hugh Carter, married Madeline Phillips. The house has
been in the Carter family ever since, and is currently owned by
Madeline Carter.
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