Battle of Ball's Bluff

Map of the Battle of Ball's Bluff

This image displays the major forces and tactics behind the Battle of Ball's Bluff near Leesburg in 1861.

Joshua Hutchison fought here as a Private in Company G of the Virginia Infantry, and he was wounded in the fighting.

The battle was fought on the Virginia side of the Potomac River, and began with several skirmishes before eventually becoming an open battle. The Union forces were commanded by Colonel Edward Baker, a United States Senator who was killed during the fighting, making him the one and only Senator ever to die in battle. After their commanders death, the Union troops routed, and Confederate soldiers took over 553 prisoners. Though not a significant battle in the Civil War, Ball's Bluff was an important victory for the Confederate troops.