 | Dave Ferrar of Gaithersburg, Md., a Civil War historian, prepares for the artillery dedication of two mountain howitzers and one James Rifle at Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Regional Park in Leesburg on July 9. Times-Mirror File Photo/Michelle Gabro |
A century and a half after Loudoun County’s first Civil War engagement, the Union will again lose the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. And for the first time ever, the reenactment will be “fought” on the actual battlefield where the two sides met on Oct. 21, 1861.
A rare Union defeat, the battle was integral in a restructuring of the North’s military hierarchy.
Back in those days, Leesburg was a major transport hub — two main roads crossed on what are today’s Route 7 and U.S. 15.
Northern military strategists figured if Leesburg were captured, the Confederate perimeters southeast of town would likely be abandoned for fear of more Union troops flanking.
According to Loudoun historian Eugene Scheel, Leesburg also had propaganda value.
“The town was the home of John Janney, and Northern newspaper reporters were eager to interview him,” Scheel stated on his recount of the battle. “Janney had been elected president of the 1861 Virginia Convention, which in April voted 88 to 55 to secede from the Union. Although Janney then handed Robert E. Lee his sword and commission to lead the commonwealth’s armies, he had voted against secession.”
Ball’s Bluff is most famous, however, as a historic win for the Confederate Army.
“Numerous Union soldiers were massacred retreating down the bluff and while trying to swim in battle garb,” Scheel recalls. “Others drowned, and for the next few weeks, bodies were fished from the Potomac, some as far downriver as Fort Washington, 50 miles distant.”
Today, a regional park preserves the site of the historic Civil War battle, including the Ball’s Bluff National Cemetery. It’s a walk through history, as hiking trails and signs help visitors understand the importance of that day of death so many years ago.
A second effort to preserve the battlefield occurred in 1981 (after a failed effort in the 1930s) and by 1984, the Northern Virginia Park Authority bought 78 acres of the battlefield. Today, that area has ballooned to 223 acres.
Bordering the Potomac River, Ball’s Bluff sports the third-smallest national cemetery in the United States — 54 Union Army dead are buried there, all unknown except for James Allen of the 15th Massachusetts regiment.
Located off of Battlefield Parkway in Leesburg and buried in suburbia, Ball’s Bluff highlights some of the best that Loudoun has to offer, especially when it comes to Civil War history.
There will be two days of reenactments, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22, and from 9 a.m. until noon on Oct. 23. Tickets cost $5, and anyone older than 2 is required to have a ticket. For parking and ticketing information, visit 150thballsbluff.com.
 | In honor of Armed Forces Day, buglers all over America played Taps at 11 a.m. on May 19, 2007, at all national cemeteries. Matt Harvey, 17, of Leesburg, plays at Ball's Bluff National Military Cemetery in Leesburg, founded in 1865. There will be a reenactment of the Battle of Ball's Bluff this weekend. Times-Mirror File Photo/Elizabeth Dodd |
Who attacked who? Originally the South had no intention of invading the North.
I attended the reenactment on Saturday, and just wanted to let you know a large number of participants were from upstate New York and in fact all over the US.
I’m guessing you would be upset if someone said, “can’t we please get over September 11?” The Civil War changed the United States forever as did Pearl Harbor, the Bay of Pigs and September 11 to name a few. The Civil War unlike any other war before in our history brought the reality of war right to citizen’s doorsteps, it reshaped the American view/beliefs about death, and pinned brother against brother.
The history of our nation is important, so let’s not down play it just because you are “tired” of hearing about it. Learn more, get involved and maybe you’ll understand just how much it shapes your life today.
@Tom - Welcome to life south of Mason-Dixon.
good times!!! no illegal hispancs..err, i guess someone had to mow the battlefield.
It’s not just the south that loves a good reenactment. Back home in Wisconsin, we had them too. Why can’t we “forget,” by which I think you mean the emotional aspect and not the historic event? People are fascinated by tragic stories of inevitable doom.
@ Tom—We don’t really know why, but you will find things like this in almost all of the southern states, espically Virginia. It’s a fun tradition to go watch and or be involved in
@Tom Murphy— If you are living in Loudoun County now, just be sure you remember Col. Eppa Hunton and the 8th Virginia Infantry. - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a3/Battle_Map_balls_bluff.gif
No, you’re right, I’m from New York and we didn’t emphasize Civil War history in school. Maybe that’s why I don’t see the need to keep “recreating” it.
Lady, I take it you aren’t black. or a lady.
Don’t you mean “The War of Northern Agression?”
Tom I take it you are not a Virginian.
In 2008 I attened a Twilight Tour of Balls Bluff. The tour guide was Loudoun County historian Bill Wilkin. He was a personable and educated man who made the tour entertaining while providing myself and children with valuable knowledge. Is he still affiliated with Ball’s Bluff? If so, you are in for a real treat this upcoming weekend. I would attend myself but am going to Bowling Green this weekend to watch the Temple football game.
Alby you are correct
Whoever wrote this article needs to revisit a history class
“A rare Union defeat”?? Prior to July 1863, the Union was losing just about every battle they fought.
Yes - let’s just forget about all the significant events in our nation’s history!
Can’t we please just get over the Civil War?
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