Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
17th Mississippi Infantry
The Mississippians had double-timed much of the way from their positions near Leesburg and were, according to Pvt. Robert Moore, “very near run down when we got there.” To let them catch their breath and to protect them from still heavy Union fire, Colonel Winfield Scott Featherston ordered his men to lie down. Pvt. Calvin Vance later wrote that Featherston’s order “was obeyed with great alacrity; no lizards ever got closer to the ground than we did...the Minie balls came screaming by and over us, saying, ‘Where-are-you?’ while we hugged old mother earth.”
The 17th initially deployed just behind this point. The 18th Mississippi, split into two battalions, was to the right and the left of the 17th, the two regiments forming a broad arc. Shortly before dark they advanced, supported by an element of the 13th Mississippi, and some of the dismounted Virginia cavalrymen in what had become the battle’s climatic movement. They overwhelmed the beleaguered Union troops, finally driving them into the river and shooting down on them from the crest of the bluff, only ceasing fire when it became too dark to see.
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.
Location. 39° 7.799′ N, 77° 31.734′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker can be reached from Ball’s Bluff Road, on the right when traveling east. Located at trail stop 10, inside Ball’s Bluff Regional Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leesburg VA 20175, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 18th Mississippi Infantry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Battle of Ball's Bluff (about 500 feet away); Battle of Ball's Bluff - October 21, 1861 (about 500 feet away); Additional Area Civil War Sites (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Balls Bluff (about 500 feet away); 42nd New York Infantry (about 500 feet away); Aftermath of Ball’s Bluff (about 600 feet away); The Battle of Ball's Bluff in Perspective (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leesburg.
More about this marker. The marker displays a portrait of Robert A. Moore.
Regarding 17th Mississippi Infantry. This marker is one of a set along the Balls Bluff Battlefield walking trail. See the Balls Bluff Virtual Tour by Markers link below for details on each stop.
Also see . . .
1. Brief Summary of the Battle of Ball's Bluff. (Submitted on August 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Staff Ride Guide for the Battle of Balls Bluff. (Submitted on August 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. 17th Mississippi Infantry Regimental History. Also a unit with a noteworthy history, serving right up to the end of the war. (Submitted on August 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
4. Balls Bluff Battlefield Virtual Tour by Marker. Over twenty markers detail the action at Balls Bluff and related sites. Please use the Click to map all markers shown on this page option at the bottom of the page to view a map of the marker locations. The hybrid view offers an excellent overlook of the park. (Submitted on November 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2007. This page has been viewed 3,173 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on October 4, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 1, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.