More Unison Battlefield News

I’ve mentioned the preservation efforts at Unison, here in Loudoun County a couple of times before.  In the slow pursuit from Antietam in the fall of 1862, Federal and Confederate cavalry clashed in Loudoun Valley in a series of engagements that included Unison.   The site is on my “Needs a marker” list.

Preservation efforts at Unison are again in the news, with an article in yesterday’s Leesburg Today.  Historians working with the Unison Preservation Society are applying to enlarge the boundry of the battlefield historic district.  If approved, the district will extend from Philomont on the Snickersville Turnpike (CR 731) down to U.S. Highway 50 near Upperville.  The proposed change also extends west to Paris and Asby’s Gap.

If approved, this new boundary no only includes sites related to the  1862 fighting, but also parts of the June 1863 cavalry fighting associated with the Gettysburg campaign. The boundary change is not a solid assurance of preservation, however.  Local zoning rules still apply.  But if approved at least additional checks would exist to (hopefully) prevent rampant development, which is the often cited ill of Northern Virginia.

The current district is defined a 2003 application to the Department of the Interior for National Register of Historic Places inclusion.  The application is available on the Virginia Department of Historic Resources site (PDF).  The Unison Preservation Society offers a copy of the National Park Service report on the battle, for a $25 donation, on their web site.

Edwards Ferry – V Corps Crossing

The Federal V Corps, like the XII Corps, stayed in Loudoun County for several days before the crossing at Edwards Ferry.  The men wearing the Maltese Crosses were involved with the cavalry fighting in Loudoun Valley during that stay.  The V Corps, commanded by Major General George Meade, first arrived in Loudoun on June 17, marching from Manassas Junction to Gum Springs.  Two days later the Corps moved up to Aldie, behind the cavalry which was moving toward Middleburg.  On the 21st,  Col. Strong Vincent’s Brigade moved to assist the Brig. Gen. D.M. Gregg’s cavalry division to press the Confederates down the Ashby’s Gap Turnpike.   (Note 1)  Vincent’s Brigade marched thirteen miles that day and fought at both Bittersweet Farm and at Goose Creek Bridge.  (But that is a story for another post….) (Note 2)

Goose Creek Bridge near Upperville

Also while posted near Aldie, Meade made an attempt to capture Major John Mosby.  On June 22, portions of the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 14th U.S. Infantry set an ambush at Ewell’s Chapel, about four miles south of Aldie.  As with many “Mosby” incidents, the “Gray Ghost” foiled the attempt. (Note 3)

Site of Ewell's Chapel Today

V Corps remained in the vicinity of Aldie until June 26.  The order to move, posted on June 25th, read:

The Fifth Corps (Aldie) will march at 4 a.m., crossing Goose Creek at Carter’s Mill; thence to Leesburg, crossing the Potomac at the upper bridge at Edwards Ferry and the Monocacy at its mouth and follow the river road in the direction of Frederick City. (Note 4)

Fairly straight forward marching orders, which placed the V Corps behind XII Corps in the line of march.  As part of the instructions to XII Corps, Hooker’s orders required a formal handover of the defense of Leesburg to V Corps.  Of course, before crossing, V Corps would turn over any remaining posts to the Cavalry also moving up to Leesburg that day.  Again, referring to the McDowell Map, here is what I think the Corps line of march looked like:

V Corps Line of March - June 26

While not stated as such, the choice of Carter’s Mill as a crossing point over the Goose placed the Corps on the old Aldie Pike (Modern U.S. Highway 15).  An alternate crossing point was Evergreen Mills, along the Old Carolina Road (Modern CR 621).   But that was not directed in the orders.  I cannot rule out the Corps used farm lanes or side roads to connect to the Old Carolina Road at some point, but it seems logical from the orders that Meade stayed on the Aldie Pike.

Aldie Mill

For the V Corps march on June 26, the distance from Aldie to Carter’s Mill is roughly five and a half marching miles.  From the mill to Leesburg is about seven more miles.  Then from the center of Leesburg to Edwards Ferry is about four miles.  Thus the Corps had a sixteen to seventeen mile march to the bridge.

Goose Creek near Carter's Mill

I have scant accounts of the march to Leesburg, but don’t doubt the story was similar to that told in the other Corps.   The good news for V Corps, once across Goose Creek, the terrain was a bit dryer, only crossing Sycolin and Tuscarora Creeks.  And the route had not seen heavy traffic up to this point.

No accounts I’ve seen relate when the Corps arrived at Edwards Ferry.  Presumably, given the distance, as with II Corps, it arrived early- to mid-afternoon.  General W.S. Hancock, commanding the II Corps, reported, as discussed in the previous post, all traffic had cleared the bridges by 11:45 p.m. on of June 26.  If one reads Hancock literally, the V Corps was across by that time.

Regimental accounts state some elements of the Corps moved four to six miles beyond Edwards Ferry.  (Note 5)  The orders did not specify the route selected for V Corps beyond the crossing.  While they might have used the towpath as the XII Corps was directed, it is also possible the V Corps marched up the road to Poolesville, then turned toward the Monocacy.  For instance, the 155th Pennsylvania regimental history records an overnight stay near Poolesville. (Note 6)

Regardless, the V Corps was across the Potomac that evening, and on June 27 resumed the march north towards  Houck’s Ridge, George Rose’s 26-acre Wheatfield, and a set of rocky knolls.  Along the way, however, it’s commander would get a promotion.

Where Meade Assumed Command of the Army of the Potomac, Frederick, Md.

Line of March Today:  The route of V Corps follows some rather heavily traveled roads today, and visitors should exercise caution and plan around peak traffic hours.  The best starting point is Aldie Mill in Aldie.  The mill is part of the Northern Virginia Regional Parks system and is open seasonally.  Interpretive markers on site discuss the mill’s operations, and also the cavalry actions fought around the town.

From the mill, proceed east on the John Mosby Highway (U.S. Highway 50, and the old Ashby’s Gap Turnpike).  At about a mile, grit your teeth and deal with the new round-about placed at Gilbert’s Corner.  Pass three-quarters of the way around, and proceed north on U.S. 15 (the old Aldie Pike).   Continue for about 4.4 miles.  Just past the bridge over Goose Creek, turn right onto CR 650 and park in front of the Church of Our Savior (dates to the 1870s).

There are dozens of historical sites to point out near the crossing of the Goose, but I’ll stick to those on topic today.  Carter’s Mill stood on the creek bank nearby (there are some stone ruins on the opposite side of U.S. 15 here), and the mill race ran all the way to the modern bridge.  The miller’s house is a private residence along CR 650.  The fording point was likely just downstream of the mill dam.   Debris of the dam are scattered in the creek just opposite the entrance to CR 650.

Return to U.S. 15 and continue north toward Leesburg.  Continue for about seven miles into the city.  Turn right, next to the County Courthouse, onto Market Street.  After a block, make a half left onto Edwards Ferry Road (CR 733) for just over three miles, passing through two stop-signs, and six stop lights.  As with the XII Corps march, the route must end at the entrance to the River Creek Community.

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Notes:

1. Itinerary of the Army of the Potomac and co-operating forces, June 5-July 31, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 43, p. 142-3.
2. Report of Brig. Gen. James Barnes, U.S. Army, commanding First Division,  June 22, 1863. OR. Series I, Volume 27, Serial 43, p. 598-9.  The Battle of Upperville is outside the scope of this post, but an overview account of the action, with an excellent set of maps is provided by the Citizens Committe for the Historic Cavalry Battles of Aldie, Middleburg and Upperville.
3. Report of Capt. W. Henry Brown, Fourteenth U.S. Infantry, June 22, 1863.  OR. Series I, Volume 27, Serial 43, p. 641-2.
4. Orders from Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, June 25, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 314.
5. One example is the Report of Capt. Andrew Sheridan, Third U.S. Infantry, July 28, 1863.  OR. Series I, Volume 27, Serial 43, p. 637.  He reports bivouacking four miles from the ferry, then proceeding to Frederick, Md. the next day.
6. Cited in Schildt’s Roads to Gettysburg, p. 245.

HMDB Civil War Updates – Week of July 6

Numbers are up this week.  Fifty-four entries.  These represent Civil War topics in D.C., Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.   Here’s the highlights:

- Two markers from the Cultural Tourism D.C. series this week, both near Fort McNair.  The first briefly discusses the fort’s role as a depot and armory during the Civil War – text supported by a couple of wartime photographs.  The second discusses the Law House, near where Lincoln greeted reinforcements arriving to stop General Jubal Early’s attack on Fort Stevens.

- A memorial simply called “Silence” honors Georgians killed at Gettysburg and buried in Savannah’s Laurel Grove Cemetery.

- Three markers from Cobb County, Georgia – Johnson’s Line East of Kennesaw, Hardee’s Corps at Powder Springs, and the William Nickols House – all discuss activities in the county in May-June 1864.

- Four markers from Paulding County, Georgia discuss the actions on the Dallas-New Hope Line, May 23-28, 1864.  The markers discuss Federal movements around Old Burnt Hickory Post Office, General Jefferson Davis’ Division movements, and the Famous Kentucky Orphan Brigade.

- In Covington, Georgia, three new entries discuss Federal raids and marches through the town.  On July 20-24, 1864 a Cavalry Division under General Kenner Garrard led a raid that came through the town, cutting off communications between Atlanta and Augusta (a marker entered in January goes into more detail about Garrard’s activity in Covington).  Days later, on July 28, General George Stoneman’s ill fated raid past through Covington.  Finally, on November 18, the 14th Corps marched through on the March to the Sea.

- A “Bleeding Kansas” theme this week starts in Lawrence, Kansas with a marker discussing raids by pro-slavery forces in 1855 and the Quantrill Raid of August 21, 1863.  Raiders on both occasions destroyed the Free State Hotel.  And a sizable number of casualties of both raids were initially buried in the Pioneer Cemetery, where a memorial stands to unknown Union dead.

- Quantrill also raided Shawneetown, near the border with Missouri, on October 17, 1862.

- A marker in Topeka, Kansas provides more reminders of that turbulent time in the Territory of Kansas.  In 1856, the U.S. Dragoons dispersed the territorial legislature.  John Brown hid runaway slaves in Topeka.

- A unique memorial from Missouri adds to last week’s Burnt District entry.  The memorial is in the shape of a chimney, and has interpretive panels on each side.

- Two more entries for the Kansas City Round Table tour of the Battle of Westport.  Stops 21 and 22 of the tour cover incidents along the Santa Fe Road.

- The Park Service, knowing that I needed to revisit Antietam, opted to replace the older interpretive markers at the battlefield in order to lure me back out.  The first of these are posted now, with more to follow.  I like the new look of the markers.  Particularly that for the Dunker Church.

- Three new entries this week covering Stoneman’s “end of the war” Raid in North Carolina.   Tracing by this week’s markers – the raid passed through Blowing Rock on March 28, 1865; later on the return, the raid passed through Lenoir on April 15-17;   and a portion of Stoneman’s command clashed with local Home Guard at Morganton on April 17.  At the later place, many Unionists complained the Federals plundered their personal supplies.

- And on that note about North Carolina Unionists, a simple stone memorial in Hendersonville recalls the Union Veterans of Henderson County, North Carolina.

- Out on Cape Hatteras, of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a wayside relates the story of the Fanny, a Federal tug seized by Confederates in October 1861.

- An addition to the Battle of Bentonville set this week.  A state marker stands at an I-95 rest stop, near Fayetteville, North Carolina.  While well outside the battle area, maybe it does prompt a few visitors to get off the highway to see the field.  Note the three reasons listed for Bentonville’s importance.

- From Haskins, Ohio, another member of Andrew’s Raiders is recalled on a state marker.  John A. Wilson, of the 21st O.V.I. was captured during the raid, but later escaped.  Wilson was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1863.

- In Tontogany, Ohio, a state marker indicates the Custer Homestead, where the family of the cavalry general lived in the 1850s.  The text highlights the story of Tom Custer, recipient of two Medal of Honors (Namozine Church and Sailor’s Creek).

- A plaque attached to a statue of General James McPherson, near the General’s grave in Clyde, Ohio, relates details of the General’s career.

- On the Paris Island Marine Corps Depot, a marker interprets the events of the battle of Port Royal,  November 7, 1861.

- Harry Smeltzer corrected me on a marker for the Wisconsin Sharpshooters.  Having seen it from a distance, I thought for sure it was some warning about buried utility lines.  But no, it is a genuine artifact, placed by a veteran of the U.S. Sharpshooters, at the spot where his company fought at 2nd Manassas.  A note at the bottom relates some of the unique details of this simple wooden “sign” and why I felt it deserved inclusion in the database.

- The man “left holding the bag” at Island Number 10 – General William Mackall -  is buried in the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in McLean, Virginia.  See the related set for other markers offering bits about Mackall’s life and military career.

- Three markers from Richmond, Virginia this week.  Monroe Park, which served as a drill field for the Confederates, features a memorials to General Williams Carter Wickham and General Fitzhugh Lee (his Spanish-American War service).

- The Stewart House in Richmond was the site of several famous photos of Robert E. Lee, taken after the surrender at Appomattox.

- The Virginia Historical Society features a memorial to the one and one-half million horses killed during the Civil War.  Yes, this does remind me of a similar memorial in Middleburg, Virgina (photo 4).

- Four new markers in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia interpret the old armory grounds.  The markers discuss the destruction of the armory in April 1861,  the escape of Union cavalry from the siege of the town in September 1862,  and the temporary “contraband camp” at the site of the old armory.

- Two six-pounder field guns grace the downtown of Moundsville, West Virginia.  One was produced by N.P. Ames of Boston.  The other in Nashville by a Confederate foundry.  The later was captured at the battle of Droop Mountain on November 6, 1863.

- Six entries this week for the Battle of Parkers Crossroads in Tennessee.  Normally I’d have a “complete set” entered.  But when visiting earlier this year, I could push the wife’s patience only so far!  The others must wait for another trip or another marker hunter.  The battlefield is bisected by Interstate 40, which, while making it easy to reach, makes interpretation difficult.

That’s it for this week.  Look for more of the “new” Antietam markers next week.  A few more Missouri-Kansas entries are in the queue this morning for next week’s list, also.

Edwards Ferry – II Corps Crossing

In contrast to XII Corps’ long stay in Loudoun and short march to the crossing, the Federal II Corps had a short stay in Loudoun and a long march to get across the Potomac.  On June 20, II Corps moved up through Centreville to Thoroughfare Gap. (Note 1)  The “Clubs” spent the next four days guarding against the threat the Confederates would use that route through the Bull Run Mountains.  Several dispatches from that period relate picket activity, cavalry patrols, and some skirmishing.  (Note 2)

Thoroughfare Gap Today

Major General Joseph Hooker, commanding the Army of the Potomac, ordered Hancock to march II Corps toward Edwards Ferry in a message sent at 7 a.m. on June 25.  “On the receipt of this order, take up your line of march to Edwards Ferry.  Your best line will be via Sudley Springs and Gum Springs.  The last-named place you should reach to-night.” (Note 3)  Hancock’s Corps was positioned to the west of Haymarket and Gainesville at the time.  This line of march brought the columns first through the old Manassas battlefields, then across the Bull Run, and further north crossing the Centerville Road and the Little River Turnpike before arriving at Gum Springs.

II Corps's March - June 25

On the map above, I’ve indicated the locations of the Old Carolina Road (far left), Pageland Road, and Gum Springs Road (which the blue arrows generally follow).  I doubt the Corps used the Old Carolina Road at all, but included it for reference.  The Corps could have used Pageland Road, but that would require several “dogleg” turns.  The easiest course was to cross the Bull Run upstream from Sudley Ford, on a road leading directly to Gum Springs.  Thus I’ve depicted the line of march as that suggested by Hooker in his movement orders.

This line of march also brought II Corps across the path of Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart’s Cavalry, then attempting to skirt around the Federal Army.  Stuart used Glasscock’s Gap, south of Thoroughfare, in the early morning hours of June 25.  And arrived near Haymarket to see the trailing elements of II Corps.  The Federals put up a rear guard action, while Stuart harassed the column, mostly with artillery fire. (Note 4)  After this action, Stuart gave the Federals a wide berth.  And of course this set up the chain of events which brought Stuart to Gettysburg on the evening of July 2.

Aside from Stuart’s horsemen, the most difficult aspect of II Corps’ march was the weather.  With heavy rains continuing, the road was muddy.  However once over Bull Run, the roughly eight miles to Gum Springs at least required no major stream crossings.

Gum Springs Road Bridge over Bull Run

The II Corps reached Gum Springs in the evening of June 25, after covering between twenty and twenty-five miles, depending on which route was indeed taken.

Orders for the next day’s march arrived while the Corps was on the move.  “The Second Corps (Gum Springs) will march at 6 a.m. tomorrow, via Farmwell, Farmwell Station, and Frankville, cross on the lower bridge at Edwards Ferry, and take the road crossing the Monoacy a little below Frederick City.” (Note 5)  Thus the route for II Corps on June 26 generally followed the line of march followed that taken by III Corps the previous day, with the exception that II Corps would cross the lower bridge and then proceeded to Poolesville.

II Corps Line of March on June 26

All indications are Hancock got the men on the road at the appointed time.  The II Corps march must have been rapid, for at 1:50 p.m., Hancock was advised to “halt the head of your column until the wagons of the corps in advance of yours have crossed the bridges.”  (Note 6)  My assumption is this message either reached Hancock riding in advance of his command, or was sent forward anticipating his arrival.  However here’s were I get confused.

First, who was the II Corps waiting on? I, III, and XI Corps all reported clearing the bridges the day before.  XII Corps was crossing on the upper bridge.  V Corps was behind XII Corps, and out of Hancock’s way.  And VI Corps was still in Fairfax County at this point.  Only the Artillery Reserve was crossing the lower bridge in front if II Corps.

Second, there are some conflicting reports of the times II Corps finally crossed.  Hancock posted his report of the day at 11:45 p.m. that day:

My command is just going into camp about 1 mile from the river.  My headquarters are near the residence of Mr. Vesey, about one-quarter of a mile to the right of the Poolesville road…, and 1 mile from the river.   My own train, and those of commands which preceded mine, have crossed the bridge.  There are no trains the other side of Goose Creek, to my knowledge, excepting those of the Sixth Corps. (Note 7)

Yet several other first hand accounts state some regiments did not cross until 10 or later in the evening.  (Note 8)  Perhaps Hancock was taking pen to paper right after watching the last of his command cross?

The marching distance from Gum Springs to Edwards Ferry is about fifteen miles.  If the men moved at a fair pace of two miles an hour, that puts the lead elements at the crossing site around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.  The trailing elements should have closed up on the bridge by 5 p.m.  Yet the crossing was prolonged into the night.  Makes me wonder who’s wagons were holding up Hancock’s crossing.

At any rate, let me close another long entry here.  Much more I’d like to discuss, particularly the action at Haymarket.  But that’s for another day!

Line of March Today:  I would break this down into two legs, with the first being the march of June 25, starting well outside Loudoun County.  The best starting point is the Civil War Trails wayside at Thoroughfare Gap.   From there follow John Marshall Highway (Va. 55) into Haymarket, about four miles.  A set of waysides at the Haymarket museum provide interpretation for the actions nearby.

The route enters heavy traffic around Haymarket, and while the historical line of march covered the side roads, I suggest moving through using the main roads.  Va. 55 intersects with the Old Warrenton Turnpike (now US 29, the Lee Highway) about two miles further on in Gainesville.  Taking US 29 to the east (a left turn through traffic lights), continue toward the Manassas National Battlefield Park.  About four miles on (after passing Pageland Lane), turn left (north) onto Featherbed Lane (CR 622).  As Harry Smeltzer will tell you,  I prefer to route around the major intersection in the middle of the Manassas Battlefield.  Furthermore, this course allows one to stop and visit points on the 2nd Manassas battlefield.

Featherbed Lane ends at Sudley Road (Va 234), so carefully make a left turn (north) there.  About a half mile, turn right onto Gum Springs Road (CR 659) and continue north.  It is usually not safe to park near the bridge over Bull Run, so allow my photos (above and here) suffice.

Old Road Bridge over Bull Run?

Continue on Gum Springs Road for a total of seven and a half miles.  The road today passes through some rural farmland, interrupted with new housing construction.  Portions of the road are under construction today, and will transform into four lane “feeder” road.

Rural Section of Gum Springs Road

So tour it while you can!

Soon to be Multi-lane Gum Springs Road

Along the way Gum Springs crosses Braddock Road (CR 620) which approximates the wartime Centreville Road; and John Mosby Highway (US 50) which uses the course of the old Ashby’s Gap Turnpike.  After crossing the later road, at a stoplight, continue on Gum Springs Road, passing through Arcola, which was Gum Springs during the war.  This leg ends with the intersection with Evergreen Mills Road (CR 621).

The second, June 26, leg of the march is the same recommended for the III Corps in an earlier post.  For brevity I’ll just refer to that description.

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Notes:

1. Itinerary of the Army of the Potomac and co-operating forces, June 5-July 31, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 43, p. 142-3.  II Corps’s movements listed are:  June 16 from near Aquia to Wolf Run Shoals; June 17 from Wolf Run Shoals to Sangster’s Station; June 20 from Sangster’s Station to Centreville then to Thoroughfare Gap.
2. The activity is outside the scope of this article.  The dispatches referenced are from OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 255-258, p. 267-271, p. 280, p. 287, p. 290.
3. Orders from Hooker to Hancock, 7 a.m., June 25, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 306.
4. Hancock breifly discussed the action in a dispatch on June 25 (OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 309).  Stuart briefly deals with the action in his offical report (OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 44, p. 692).  For a through analysis of this action, placing it into the proper perspective, see Plenty of Blame to Go Around:  Jeb Stuart’s Controversial Ride to Gettysburg, by Eric J. Whittenberg and J. David Petruzzi, p. 3-9.
5. Orders from Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, June 25, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 314.
6. Dispatch to Hancock (at Edwards Ferry) from General Seth Williams, 1:50 p.m., June 26, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 334.
7. Dispatch from Hancock to Butterfield, 11:45 p.m., June 26, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 338.
8. Franklin Sawyer, in A History of the Eight Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, states his regiment crossed at 10:00 p.m.  (Quoted in Schildt’s Roads to Gettysburg, p. 250).

Edwards Ferry – XII Corps Crossing

Thus far in the summary of the unit crossings at Edwards Ferry, I’ve covered those passing over the river on June 25, 1863:  XI Corps, I Corps, and III Corps.  Now I’ll take up the crossings on June 26 and 27 – the movements of the “Left Wing” of the army.  The intent, as things go along, is to also  address the Artillery Reserve, Headquarters element, and of course the Cavalry crossings.

Major General Henry W. Slocum’s XII Corps entered Loudoun County on June 18 with a march from Dranesville to Leesburg on the Leesburg Pike (modern Va. 7).  (Note 1)  The day after arriving, Slocum reported:

I arrived here with my command at 5 p.m. I have heard nothing reliable relative to the position of the enemy. A pontoon bridge should be thrown across the river, near Edwards Ferry, if we are to remain here any length of time. The material for a bridge, with a party to build it, should be sent at once. (Note 2)

Thus immediately Slocum put his two cents worth in.  A second dispatch from Slocum elaborated a bit:

I think the bridge should be built at Edwards Terry to supply us. I have not force enough to keep the route to Vienna, or to hold many fords on the river in the country filled with guerrillas. Edwards Ferry is most accessible, and is covered by a strong redoubt on this side. Our supplies should be sent from Georgetown, by canal, to Edwards Ferry. (Note 3)

Slocum strengthened his argument with an another dispatch on the morning of the 20th, citing specifically a redoubt close to Edwards Ferry. (Note 4)  One cannot argue against such logic.  Slocum, in my opinion, was less concerned about movement into Maryland, but rather his supply lines.  Of course, recall from the time lines (particularly Part 1 and Part 2) that while the first bridge was laid on June 20, Major General Joseph Hooker, commanding the army, vacillated a bit over completing the operation, looking for alternatives.

The redoubts mentioned by Slocum are interpreted to be those of Forts Evans, Beaureagard, and Johnston, dating to the Confederate defenses of the town in 1861.  As mentioned when discussing the fortifications around Leesburg, I feel a trench system to the northeast of town is also part of the defense system employed by Slocum.  Lieut. Edward D. Muhlenburg, commanding the XII Corps artillery discussed the disposition briefly in his campaign report, indicating the Corps “…occupied Leesburg on the 17th, the batteries, to be prepared for any emergency, taking positions near the fortifications situated on the west, northeast, and southeast approaches to said place.” (Note 5)

From that passage, I’d submit that “west” was Fort Johnston covering the Snicker’s Gap Turnpike.  And  “southeast” was both Forts Evans and Beauregard covering the old Colonial Road and Leesburg Pike.  That leaves “northeast” approaches.  Looking again at the “McDowell Map“, with the approximate locations of Forts Evans and Beauregard, the trenches in question, and Edwards Ferry:

Northeast Approaches to Leesburg

The Potomac Crossing trenches stand on a ridge line running between Cattail Branch and the Potomac River.  A road crosses the ridge, running north to the Smart property northeast of Leesburg.  Should a “bad guy” move down that road, and post a force on the ridge line, it would threaten the route to Edwards Ferry.  So while I don’t have a first hand account that states the Federals dug those trenches, it seems rather logical the XII Corps either constructed them or rebuilt what a previous garrison had constructed.

Recall also the amount of traffic between Army headquarters and Slocum regarding the other Potomac fords around Leesburg.  Three of those mentioned most often were Noland’s, Chick’s, and Hauling’s.  Noland’s Ford (or Ferry) was well to the north of Leesburg, about fifteen river miles.  Chick’s and Hauling’s were close to the Mouth of the Monocacy, about ten to twelve miles north.  Another crossing point of note was Conrad’s Ferry (known today as White’s Ferry), but was also north of Leesburg roughly four miles.  Slocum reported these were all impassable or impractical due to high water or other factors. (Note 6)  Not mentioned, but somewhat logical, these crossing points were outside the defensive “bubble” that Slocum had built.

Clearly with the decision to cross the Potomac at Edwards Ferry on June 25,  Slocum’s advice and reports carried some weight at Army Headquarters.  At 7:20 a.m. that morning, Hooker advised Slocum to remain ready to cross, and that I, III, and XI were crossing that day. (Note 7)  General Seth Williams sent the official orders from headquarters later that day:

The Twelfth Corps (Leesburg) will march at 3 a.m. to-morrow, leaving a sufficient force to hold Leesburg until the Fifth Corps comes up; will cross the upper bridge at Edwards Ferry and the Monocacy at its mouth, and proceed up the Potomac as far as Trammelstown (Point of Rocks), and then to Middletown, unless otherwise ordered.  The detachment that remains behind will rejoin the corps on the arrival of the Fifth Corps at Leesburg. [Note 8]

The route taken was rather simple compared to the other unit movements – down Edwards Ferry Road to Edwards Ferry:

XII Corps march and Leesburg Defenses

XII Corps’ march on June 26 was largely uneventful, or better said – the accounts  offer little more than the distances marched.  After passing down Edwards Ferry Road to the upper pontoon bridge, the men of the Corps turned left, much as the III Corps had done the day before, and proceeded along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath.  Even in the rain, the towpath was easier to traverse in the daylight than in the dark.  The men rested for the night near the Monocacy Aqueduct.  All told about 12 to 15 miles.

Portion of Edwards Ferry Road

Line of March Today:  This route is rather easy.  First and only leg is from Leesburg to Edwards Ferry.  From the Loudoun County Courthouse in downtown Leesburg, proceed east on Market Street (Business VA 7).  After one block make a slight left turn onto Edwards Ferry Road (which will become CR 773).  Follow that road for just over three miles, through one four-way stop, and six stop lights (yes, this is Northern Virginia).  Along the way you will pass the sites of Fort Evans and the Masked Battery.  The Potomac Crossing trenches are to the north of these.  As those sites were covered in detail in earlier posts (see links above), I’ll skip those sites in this iteration.  After about three miles, the road makes a sharp right turn at the River Creek Community service gate.  The wartime road proceeded through what is today a gated community down to the mouth of Goose Creek.  I would suggest, unless prior approval is made, to end the trace of the march here.  Back before the turn is Red Rock Wilderness Park.  Trails in the park offer excellent views of the Potomac and Maryland shoreline.

For those adventurous types, I would also suggest a walk or bike ride from Edwards Ferry to the Monocacy Aqueduct on the C&O Canal trail.  It is just over eleven miles, but along the way are several Civil War sites of interest.  Other than the two endpoints mentioned, another parking area is near Canal Lock 26, and White’s Ford, about half way along the march.

C&O Canal Towpath above Whites Ford

Monocacy Aqueduct

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Notes

1. Itinerary of the Army of the Potomac and co-operating forces, June 5-July 31, 1863.  OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 43, p. 143.  The itinerary has the Corps moving from Fairfax Courthouse to near Dranesville on June 17, and likely the bulk of the Corps used Hunter Mill Road.
2. Dispatch from Slocum to Hooker, 10:40 a.m., June 19, 1863, OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 208.
3. Dispatch from Slocum to Butterfield, June 19, 1863, OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 209.
4. Dispatch from Slocum to Butterfield, 4 a.m. (recieved 8 a.m.), June 20, 1863, OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 223.
5. Report of Lieut. Edward D. Muhlenburg, 4th U.S. Artillery, commanding Artillery Brigade, XII Army Corps, August 1863, OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 43, p. 869.
6. Dispatch from Slocum to Hooker, 9 a.m., June 23, 1863, OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 267;  Dispatch from Slocum to Hooker, June 23, 1863, p. 273;  Dispatch from Slocum to Butterfield, midnight, June 23, 1863, p 273.
7. Dispatch from Hooker to Slocum, 7:20 a.m., June 25, 1863, OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 307.
8. Orders from Headquarters, Army of the Potomac, June 25, 1863, OR, Series I, Volume 27, Serial 45, p. 314.