First Confederate Officer Killed

August 8, 2009

1. First Confederate Officer Killed Marker

Inscription. In the early morning hours of 1 June 1861, a detachment of Co. B, Second Cavalry, entered the Town of Fairfax Court House and engaged the Warrenton Rifles in the first land conflict of organized military units in the Civil War. The skirmish resulted in the death of Capt. John Quincy Marr, who was struck by a stray bullet, the first Confederate officer killed in the Civil War. Marr's body was found at daybreak near this location.

Erected 2009 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number B-262.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1861.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 50.687′ N, 77° 18.54′ W. Marker was in Fairfax, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It could be reached from Chain Bridge Road, on the left. Marker is located near the flag array in front of the Massey Building on the property of the Fairfax County Judicial Center. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address:

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4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax VA 22030, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: The Legato School (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fairfax Court House (about 600 feet away); Old Fairfax Jail (about 700 feet away); Fairfax County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); Joshua Gunnell House (about 700 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away); Fairfax County Memorial To Those Who Died In Service To Our Country

Photographed by Robert Heyward, circa March 28, 2020

2. First Confederate Officer Killed Marker

(about 700 feet away); World War II and Korean Conflict Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfax.

Also see . . .
1. Skirmish at Fairfax Court House, June 1, 1861. (Submitted on August 8, 2009.)
2. John Quincy Marr. From Find A Grave.com (Submitted on August 8, 2009.)

August 8, 2009

3. First Confederate Officer Killed Marker

Photographed by Robert Heyward, circa July 21, 2022

4. First Confederate Officer Killed Marker

The historical sign was literally cut down and removed following the George Floyd riots. The remainder of the pole base is shown in this photo.

Grave of Captain John Quincy Marr image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 16, 2016

5. Grave of Captain John Quincy Marr

Located in the Warrenton Cemetery, Warrenton, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2009. This page has been viewed 4,359 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 8, 2009. 2. submitted on December 30, 2022, by Robert Heyward of Prattville, Alabama. 3. submitted on August 8, 2009. 4. submitted on December 30, 2022, by Robert Heyward of Prattville, Alabama. 5. submitted on February 13, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.