Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle at Ballís Bluﬀ
Five companies of the 15th Massachusetts led by Col. Charles Devens spent several hours quietly crossing the river from Harrisonís Island. At dawn they marched up the path on their way to destroy the supposed enemy camp and return to Maryland. The “camp,” however, did not exist. In the dark, the scouts had mistaken a row of trees for tents. By the time the error was reported to General Stone, an unintended battle had begun.
At 7:30 a.m. on October 21, Company K of the 17th Mississippi clashed with the Massachusetts men near the Jackson house.
General Stone remained in Maryland at Edwardís Ferry. On hearing of the patrolís mistake, but not yet knowing that fighting had occurred, he ordered Col. Edward D. Baker to evaluate the situation. On his way upriver to do this, Baker learned of
Erected by Ball's Bluff Regional Park/Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Battlefield Trails - Civil War marker series.
Location. 39° 7.842′ N, 77° 31.844′ W. Marker is in Leesburg, Virginia, in Loudoun County. Marker can be reached from Ballís Bluff Road, on the left when traveling east. Click for map. Located on a gravel footpath extension of Ballís Bluff Road, inside Ballís Bluff Regional Park. Marker is in this post office area: Leesburg VA 20176, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers A Divided America, A Divided Loudoun County (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Balls Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); Additional Area Civil War Sites (within shouting distance of this marker); Aftermath of Ballís Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker); 8th Virginia Infantry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 8th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment (about 400 feet away); 17th Mississippi Infantry (about 600 feet away); Battlefield Historic Restoration Project (about 700 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Leesburg.
More about this marker. The marker displays a drawing depicting, “15th Massachusetts Scouts,” courtesy Kim Bernard Holien.
Regarding The Battle at Ballís Bluff. This marker is the "Trail Head" for the Balls Bluff walking trail through the park. The related markers list (below) offers a virtual tour of the battlefield and related sites, by way of historical markers.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This marker is trail head for a set of markers along the Balls Bluff Battlefield walking trail. Please use the related markers list here to see a "virtual tour" of the battlefield by markers.
Also see . . .
1. With Leesburg in Their Sights, Union Troops Caught by Surprise at Ball's Bluff. (Submitted on August 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Original Newspaper Account of the Battle. (Submitted on August 30, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Categories. • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page originally submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,633 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on , by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.