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 Ball’s Bluff Marker
Inscription.
Battle of Ball's Bluff. . 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.
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. Marker 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.
Also see . . . 1. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled “Battle of Ball's Bluff” (Submitted on March 29, 2016.)
Photographed By T. Elizabeth Renich, March 26, 2016
2. Battle of Ball’s Bluff Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2016, by T. Elizabeth Renich of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 493 times since then and 20 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.
