Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Ball's Bluff
Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, March 26, 2016
1. Battle of Balls Bluff Marker
Just to the east, 1,700 Union troops crossed the Potomac River and clashed with 1,700 Confederates on 21 Oct. 1861. The previous evening, a Union reconnaissance patrol had mistaken a row of trees for Confederate tents. Brig. Gen. Charles Stone ordered an early-morning raid on this "camp." Confederates under Col. Nathan Evans confronted the Federals, who were then reinforced. Col. and Sen. Edward D. Baker took command and became the only sitting U.S. senator ever killed in combat. The Federals retreated across the river in disarray. Congress created the Joint Committee on the Conduct of War to investigate the defeat.
Erected 2015 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number F-1.)
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 October 21, 1861.
Location. 39° 7.613′ N, 77° 32.613′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. It is at the intersection of Leesburg Bypass (U.S. 15) and Battlefield Parkway, on the right when traveling south on Leesburg Bypass. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leesburg VA 20176, 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 walking distance of this marker: A Divided America, A Divided Loudoun County
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Battle of Balls Bluff (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named A Divided America, A Divided Loudoun County (was approx. Ύ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Aftermath of Ball's Bluff (was approx. Ύ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Battle at Ball's Bluff
Photographed by T. Elizabeth Renich, March 26, 2016
2. Battle of Balls Bluff Marker
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled Battle of Ball's Bluff.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Ball's Bluff. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 19, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Battle of Ball's Bluff Staff Ride Guide. U.S Army Center of Military History (Submitted on May 19, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2016, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 746 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 26, 2016, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
