Battle of Ball's Bluff

Other Names: Harrison's Landing, Leesburg

Location: Loudoun County, Virginia

Campaign: McClellan's Operations in Northern Virginia (October-December 1861)

Date: October 21, 1861

Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. Charles P. Stone and Col. Edward Baker [US]; Brig. Gen. Nathan G. Evans [CS]

Forces Engaged: 3,600 total (US 2,000; CS 1,600)

Casualties and losses: 1,070 total (US 921; CS 149)

Result(s): Confederate victory

Brief Description:

Confederate Brig. Gen. Nathan "Shanks" Evans stopped a badly coordinated attempt by Union forces under Brig. Gen. Charles P. Stone to cross the Potomac at Harrison's Island and capture Leesburg. A timely Confederate counterattack drove the Federals over the bluff and into the river. More than 700 Federals were captured. Col. Edward D. Baker (a U.S. Senator) was killed. This Union rout had severe political ramifications in Washington and led to the establishment of the Congressional Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War.