Sterling in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mosby’s Rangers
Battle of Miskel Farm
— March 31, 1863 —
Erected by Potomac Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 39° 3.607′ N, 77° 25.911′ W. Marker is in Sterling, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker is at the intersection of Dairy Lane and Bobwhite Lane, on the left on Dairy Lane. It is at the entrance to Miskel Farm. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20082 Dairy Ln, Sterling VA 20165, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Barn (approx. 1˝ miles away); Vestal's Gap Road IV (approx. 2.2 miles away); Vestal's Gap Road III (approx. 2.2 miles away); Vestal's Gap Road II (approx. 2.3 miles away); Vestal's Gap Road I (approx. 2.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (approx. 2.7 miles away); This is W&OD Trail: Smith Switch! (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sterling.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Ranger Dick Moran and the Battle of Miskel's Farm.
Additional commentary.
1. Battle of Miskel Farm
The fight that took place at the farm is noteworthy for several reasons, foremost is Mosby’s decisive victory in the face of rather imposing Union forces. Mosby had arrived in the area on March 30, 1863, basically looking for a fight. He had not located Federal forces where he expected them at Dranesville. So he opted to overnight at the Miskel Farm. What he didn't know was his movements were tracked by Union signal stations (most likely the one on Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland).
The next morning 150 men led by Captain Henry C. Flint, 1st Vermont Cavalry, rode into the outer farm enclosure and closed the gate behind. Normally, this would have sealed Mosby’s fate, trapping him and his command. But Flint split his forces, granting Mosby's men some time to organize.
Moving quickly Mosby determined he could defeat his foes by working against the divided forces and counterattack. The move was further encouraged by ineffective fire from the Union cavalry. The Federal superior numbers negated, they were soon forced to fall back, to the very gate they had closed earlier. Shortly many of the Federal cavalrymen were captured, killed, or wounded before they could break out through the gate.
— Submitted July 20, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 20, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,835 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 20, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on December 4, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.