Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ball's Bluff National Cemetery

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021

1. Ball's Bluff National Cemetery Marker

Inscription.

Ball's Bluff National Cemetery. . , Battle of Ball's Bluff , On October 20, 1861, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac, ordered Brig. Gen. Charles P. Stone to scout Confederate forces on the Virginia side of the Potomac River near Leesburg.

Early on the morning of October 21, Union forces crossed the river to attack what was reported to be an unguarded Confederate camp. Instead, they came upon Southern troops under the command of Confederate Col. Nathan "Shanks" Evans and fighting ensued.

Senator Baker's Command , Stone ordered Col. Edward Baker, a U.S. senator, to Ball's Bluff to take charge of Union forces. Baker attempted to reinforce the troops but was delayed crossing the Potomac River. Only four small boats were available to transport soldiers. This extra time allowed Evans to call additional Confederate forces from Leesburg. By late afternoon Baker was dead. Panicked Union soldiers retreated. Many drowned as they tried to swim across the river. The Union dead were buried on the battlefield in shallow, hastily dug graves.

Creating a National Cemetery , In April 1862, a surgeon with the Pennsylvania Volunteers was sent to Ball's Bluff to identify their dead. He reported graves in poor condition scattered on the bluff, and that it was impossible to "determine the State to which the bodies had belonged." In 1865, Lt. Col. James M. Moore, U.S. Army, recommended the "remains be disinterred, and removed to a suitable site on the bluff; and their graves be marked Unknown United States Soldiers, killed October 21st, 1861."

Battle of Ball's Bluff
On October 20, 1861, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac, ordered Brig. Gen. Charles P. Stone to scout Confederate forces on the Virginia side of the Potomac River near Leesburg.

Senator Baker's Command
Stone ordered Col. Edward Baker, a U.S. senator, to Ball's Bluff to take charge of Union forces. Baker attempted to reinforce the troops but was delayed crossing the Potomac River. Only four small boats were available to transport soldiers. This extra time allowed Evans to call additional Confederate forces from Leesburg. By late afternoon Baker was dead. Panicked Union soldiers retreated. Many drowned as they tried to swim across the river. The Union dead were buried on the battlefield in shallow, hastily dug graves.

Creating a National Cemetery
In April 1862, a surgeon with the Pennsylvania Volunteers was sent to Ball's Bluff to identify their dead. He reported graves in poor condition scattered on the bluff, and that it was impossible to "determine the State to which the

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bodies had belonged." In 1865, Lt. Col. James M. Moore, U.S. Army, recommended the "remains be disinterred, and removed to a suitable site on the bluff; and their graves be marked Unknown United States Soldiers, killed October 21st, 1861."

By 1871, the remains of fifty-four soldiers had been interred in twenty-five graves arranged in a semi-circle around a central path. A red sandstone was built to enclose the cemetery. Attempts to have the remains moved to Arlington National Cemetery, the last in 1882, were ultimately rejected. Pvt. James Allen, Co. H, 15th Massachusetts Infantry, is the only known burial in the second-smallest national cemetery. The battlefield and cemetery were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1984.

Erected by National Cemetery Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Cemeteries, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1862.

Location. 39° 7.908′ N, 77° 31.649′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker can be reached from Balls Bluff Park east of Balls Bluff Road, on

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021

2. Ball's Bluff National Cemetery Marker

the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is 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 marker. A different marker also named Ball's Bluff National Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Edward D. Baker (here, next to this marker); Battle of Ball's Bluff - October 21, 1861: The Union Collapse (here, next to this marker); United States National Military Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); A National Cemetery System (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Edward D. Baker (a few steps from this marker); 1st California Regiment (a few steps from this marker); 13 Pounder "James Rifle" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.

The Only Known Burial image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2020

3. The Only Known Burial

Pvt. James Allen, Co. H, 15th Massachusetts Infantry, is the only known burial in the second-smallest national cemetery.

Ball's Bluff National Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 19, 2020

4. Ball's Bluff National Cemetery

Discovering the Bodies of the Slain in the Potomac River, October 21, 1861,<br> by Alfred R. Waud image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress

5. Discovering the Bodies of the Slain in the Potomac River, October 21, 1861,
by Alfred R. Waud

From <i>The Bivouac of The Dead</i> signage on the grounds image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021

6. From The Bivouac of The Dead signage on the grounds

National Register of Historic Places plaque on the grounds of the cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021

7. National Register of Historic Places plaque on the grounds of the cemetery

Address by President Lincoln at the dedication of The Gettysburg National Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021

8. Address by President Lincoln at the dedication of The Gettysburg National Cemetery

This sign is on the grounds of most National Cemeteries in the United States.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 232 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on March 7, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5. submitted on August 16, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6, 7, 8. submitted on March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.