Confederate Brigadier General Nathan "Shanks" Evans stopped a badly coordinated attempt by Union forces under Brigadier General Charles P. Stone to cross the Potomac at Harrison's Island and capture Leesburg.
A timely Confederate counter attack 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.
Result(s): Confederate victory
Location: Loudoun County
Campaign: McClellan's Operations in Northern Virginia (October-December 1861) next battle in campaign
Date(s): October 21, 1861
Principal Commanders: Brigadier General Charles P. Stone and Col. Edward Baker [US]; Brigadier General Nathan G. Evans [CS]
Forces Engaged: 3,600 total (US 2,000; CS 1,600)
Estimated Casualties: 1,070 total (US 921; CS 149)