Near Fairfax in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Reid-Ballard House
Once a Prominent Landmark
— Ox Hill (Chantilly) Battlefield —
On September 1, 1862, during the Second Manassas Campaign, the Reid farmhouse was a prominent landmark in the Battle of Ox Hill or Chantilly. Union infantry led by Gens. Isaac Stevens and Philip Kearny advanced from the vicinity of this house to engage the Confederates of Gen. Stonewall Jackson. From positions near the Reid House, Federal artillery supported the attack, shelling Confederates in the woods at the north end of the Reid farm fields.
During the battle, the Reid House sheltered wounded Union soldiers who later were carried to the Millan place, known as Oakley, where a field hospital was established.
In 1874 Mary Thrift married former Confederate Lt. John N. Ballard, a veteran of Mosby’s 43rd Battalion Virginia Cavalry. At the Reid – now Ballard House, the Ballards raised seven children, worked the farm, known as Fruit Vale, and became prominent citizens of Fairfax County.
In 1915, the Ballards deeded a 50x100-foot lot for the erection of monuments to Generals Kearny and Stevens who were killed in the battle. The monuments can be found 435 yards northeast of this marker.
Erected by Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1921.
Location. 38° 51.749′ N, 77° 22.374′ W. Marker is near Fairfax, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from Cedar Lakes Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4293 Wheeled Caisson Square, Fairfax VA 22033, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Attack of General Birney’s Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle of "Chantilly" (Ox Hill) — Then & Now (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Death of General Kearny (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Attack and Death of General Stevens (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ox Hill Battlefield Park & Interpretive Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sequel to Second Manassas (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wounds Suffered at Ox Hill (Chantilly) (approx. 0.2 miles away); La Batalla de Ox Hill (Chantilly) (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfax.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2007. This page has been viewed 3,127 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2007. 4. submitted on January 11, 2009. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.