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.