Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
20th Massachusetts Infantry
Companies D and I of the 20th Massachusetts (the “Harvard Regiment”) followed the 15th Massachusetts across the Potomac with orders to serve as a rear guard and cover the withdrawal of the 15th Massachusetts following what was hoped would be a successful raid. Those two companies, led by regimental commander Colonel William R. Lee, deployed along the bluff here and waited. They spent much of the day in the area immediately beyond this sign.
While waiting, Colonel Lee sent out scouting parties upriver and downriver to secure his flanks. The upriver party stumbled into a small group of pickets from Co. K, 17th Mississippi, and a few shots were exchanged. The Mississippians withdrew and alerted Colonel Evans to the presence of Union troops at Ball’s Bluff. Unfortunately for the Federals, no one from the 20th Massachusetts went forward to inform their comrades in the 15th Massachusetts that contact had been made with the enemy.
Around mid-afternoon, the 20th became involved in the main fighting, an action later described by Lieut. Henry L. Abbott as a fight “made up of charges” as individual companies would advance, fire, and fall back. Later, Lieut. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. received the first of his three Civil War wounds here and was evacuated from the field. During the rout of the Federal troops, Colonel Lee and Major Paul J. Revere (grandson of the Revolutionary War hero) were captured along with many other soldiers. Capt. William F. Bartlett led a mixed group of some 80 men upriver where they found a small skiff and managed to cross to safety.
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° 7.939′ N, 77° 31.631′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker can be reached from Ball’s Bluff Road, on the left when traveling east. Located at trail stop 6, 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. M1841 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); 13 Pounder "James Rifle" (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); A National Cemetery System (within shouting distance of this marker); United States National Military Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Ball's Bluff National Cemetery
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021
More about this marker. The marker displays a portrait of Henry Livermore Abbott.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Also see . . .
1. 20th Massachusetts Infantry regiment. Civil War in the East website entry (Submitted on May 6, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. "A Forgotten Name": The Harvard Regiment of the Civil War. The Crimson website entry (Submitted on May 6, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Battle of Ball's Bluff. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 6, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
4. Battle of Ball's Bluff Staff Ride Guide. PDF from the Center of Military History for Army Officer Professional Development. (Submitted on August 31, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
5. Balls Bluff Battlefield Virtual Tour by Marker. Over twenty markers detail the action at Balls Bluff and related sites. Please use the Click
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 6, 2021
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2007. This page has been viewed 1,728 times since then and 29 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 March 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.