Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Aftermath of Ball's Bluff
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 30, 2007
1. Aftermath of Ball's Bluff Marker
Among the Union casualties here at Ball's Bluff was U.S. Senator, Colonel Edward D. Baker, boyhood friend of Abraham Lincoln. Baker was a former Congressman from Illinois, a brilliant lawyer and orator, veteran of the Mexican War and sitting U.S. Senator from Oregon. It was due to Baker's effort that the west coast was held for Lincoln in the 1860 elections.
Baker's death here and the twin Union defeats at Manassas and Ball's Bluff gave cause for the creation of a Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War. This committee was comprised of three Senators and four Congressmen. These radical Republicans and war Democrats held three hearings behind closed doors concerning Ball's Bluff.
Meeting as a Star Chambered Court, they used hearsay testimony, camp gossip, personal prejudice and lies to find General Charles Stone guilty of treason. Without being able to confront his accusers or to know what they even had stated, Stone was arrested on February 12, 1862.
Thrown into the dungeon of Fort Lafayette in New York Harbor and then into prison at Fort Hamilton, New York City, General Stone languished for 6 months before being released. His health, life and military career ruined, Stone left the U.S. Army in August 1864. After the war, he became Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Army. Returning to the United States in 1880,
this page online
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 Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, and the NOVA Parks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1862.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 39° 7.825′ N, 77° 31.846′ W. Marker was in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker was on Balls Bluff Park, 0.2 miles east of Balls Bluff Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Leesburg VA 20176, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Aftermath of Ball’s Bluff (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Ball's Bluff in Perspective (here, next to this marker); A Divided America, A Divided Loudoun County (here, next to this marker); Battle of Balls Bluff (here, next to this marker); Additional Area Civil War Sites (here, next to this marker); The Battle at Ball’s Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Ball's Bluff - October 21, 1861 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Battle of Ball's Bluff (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 174 times since then and 15 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on August 29, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
