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

Mosby’s Rangers

Battle of Miskel Farm

— March 31, 1863 —

Mosby's Rangers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 19, 2007

1. Mosby's Rangers Marker

Inscription. Captain John Singleton Mosby and 69 of his Confederate ranger troop were surprised at dawn while sleeping here in the Miskel farmhouse and hay barn by 150 Union cavalry. Though greatly outnumbered, Captain Mosby led his rangers on foot with revolvers and sabers to complete victory over the entire Union force. Not only did Mosby and his troop escape the trap, but they accounted for 23 Union casualties and 82 prisoners, losing only 6 men themselves. For this remarkable feat Mosby was promoted to Major by General Robert E. Lee and President Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy.

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. It 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.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Barn (approx. 1½ miles away); Vestal's Gap Road IV (approx. 2.2 miles away); Vestal's Gap Road III (approx. 2.2 miles away);

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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

Marker is at the Entrance to the Miskel Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 19, 2007

2. Marker is at the Entrance to the Miskel Farm

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.

Miskel Farm House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 19, 2007

3. Miskel Farm House

Mosby and his men were welcomed here and allowed to overnight, given food and forage. Mosby slept in the house next to the fireplace on the night of March 30, 1863. The farm house has been updated several times since the time of the battle. The barn where most of the Rangers stayed has been torn down.

Captain John S. Mosby image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

4. Captain John S. Mosby

From Mosby's Rangers by James Joseph Williamson, 1909.

The Fight at Miskel's (Broad Run) image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

5. The Fight at Miskel's (Broad Run)

Engraving by J. E. Thomas, NY, 1895 From Mosby's Rangers by James Joseph Williamson, 1909.

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 6,648 times since then and 146 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.