Each division was accompanied by two light batteries.
Pleasonton's plan was founded on the erroneous supposition that the enemy were at Culpeper.

He used the infantry to keep the lines of retreat open, and directed the cavalry to rendezvous at Brandy Station.

They were to arrive there at the same time, and attack together.

Duffie's column was to make a circuit by way of Stevensburg.
Unfortunately, Stuart was not at Culpeper, but at Brandy Station; that is, he occupied the point where they were to rendezvous, and the plan therefore appertained practically to the same vicious system of converging columns against a central force.

What happened may be briefly stated as follows: The First Division, under Buford, came upon the enemy between Brandy Station and Beverly Ford.