Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Union Artillery
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 1, 2007
1. Union Artillery Marker
The Federals crossed three pieces of artillery to Balls Bluff. Two mountain howitzers from the 2nd New York State Militia, detached under Lt. Frank French of Battery I, 1st U.S. Artillery, occupied this area for much of the afternoon. A 12-pdr James rifled cannon from Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, commanded by Lt. Walter Bramhall of the 6th New York Independent Battery, was near today's cemetery. Being in the open, many of the artillerists were shot down and replaced by infantrymen.
Sgt. Frank Donaldson of the 1st California was one of the foot soldiers who helped man a mountain howitzer. Testifying to the tenacity with which they were served, he later wrote, ...the gun crew killed or wounded ... it was being served by a few infantrymen as best they could, and I assisted in filling it with stones and dirt, as, with the exception of a few flannel powder bags, all ammunition had been expended. This position was taken by the 8th Virginia in a bayonet charge around 5 p.m.
Erected by Ball's Bluff Regional Park/Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the NOVA Parks series list.
Location. 39°
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Balls Bluff Overlook (within shouting distance of this marker); M1841 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); 20th Massachusetts Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 13 Pounder "James Rifle" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); A National Cemetery System (about 400 feet away); The North: Union Leaders at Ball's Bluff (about 400 feet away); United States National Military Cemetery (about 400 feet away); Battle of Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.
Other markers no longer nearby. Union Artillery (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named 20th Massachusetts Infantry (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. A drawing of the battle shows the Mountain Howitzers in action, courtesy of the Virginia State Library and Archives.
Regarding Union Artillery.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021
2. Union Artillery Marker
The marker has weathered but remains legible.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Ball's Bluff. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 4, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Ball's Bluff Staff Ride Guide. PDF produced by the Center of Military History for Army Officer Professional Development. (Submitted on August 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Balls Bluff Battlefield Virtual Tour by Marker. Over twenty markers detail the action at Balls Bluff and related sites. Please use the Click to map all markers shown on this page option at the bottom of the page to view a map of the marker locations. The hybrid view offers an excellent overlook of the park. (Submitted on November 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2007. This page has been viewed 3,375 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on October 9, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
