Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
20th Massachusetts Infantry
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 30, 2007
1. 20th Massachusetts Infantry Marker
The 20th Massachusetts Infantry followed the 15th Massachusetts across the Patomac River. Acting initially as rear guard, the 10th occupied this area throughout the day. Among the ranks of the 20th was Lieutenant Henry L. Abbott who described the battle: "…we kept that field under a heavy fire of rifles and musketry. It seemed as if every square inch of air within six feet of the ground was traversed by bullets as they whistled by us. Though we were lying down, our men were shot on every side of us. The fight was made up of charges. You would see our captains rush out in front and cry 'forward' and their companies would follow...under a tremendous fire till they were obliged to fall back...this was repeated over and over during the four hours fight."
Source: Fallen Leaves: The Civil War Letters of Major Henry Livermore Abbott, edited by Robert Garth Scott, 1991, with permission of the Kent state University Press.
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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named 20th Massachusetts Infantry (here, next to this marker); M1841 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); 13 Pounder "James Rifle" (within shouting distance of this marker); A National Cemetery System (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); United States National Military Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Ball's Bluff National Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Edward D. Baker (within shouting distance of this marker). 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.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 30, 2007
2. Ground Held by the 20th Massachusetts
The unit held ground in the vicinity of what is now the National Cemetery.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2021, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
