Battle of Mile Hill facts for kids
The Battle of Mile Hill was a small but important fight between soldiers on horseback, called cavalry, during the American Civil War. It happened near Leesburg, Virginia, on September 2, 1862. This battle helped clear the way for the main Confederate army to move into the area before they crossed the Potomac River into Maryland.
Quick facts for kids Battle of Mile Hill |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 CSA (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Henry A. Cole Samuel C. Means |
Thomas T. Munford | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Cole's Maryland Cavalry Loudoun Rangers |
2nd Virginia Cavalry | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 180 | 163 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 7 killed 33 wounded 15 captured |
1 killed 6 wounded |
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Confederate cavalry, led by Col. Thomas T. Munford, surprised and defeated the Union forces. These Union forces included Cole's Maryland Cavalry and the Loudoun Rangers. The Confederates successfully pushed the Union troops out of the area. This allowed Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia to enter Leesburg two days later. They then crossed the Potomac River on September 6, starting the Maryland Campaign.
Why the Battle Happened
After a tough fight at the Battle of Ox Hill, Robert E. Lee decided not to chase the Union army further. They were too close to their strong defenses near Washington D.C.. Instead, Lee planned to move his army into Loudoun County. He wanted to find food and supplies there. He also needed to reorganize his army before invading Maryland.
At that time, Union troops from Harpers Ferry were in Loudoun County. So, J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry was sent ahead. Their job was to scout the area and remove any enemy resistance. On September 1, the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, led by Col. Thomas T. Munford, was given this task. They were to secure Leesburg and the river crossings nearby.
The Battle Begins
The next day, Munford's troops approached Leesburg from the east. He divided his forces. One group, led by Captain Jesse Irvine, Jr., rode directly through the town. Munford took the rest of his regiment north. They left the Leesburg Pike (now Route 7) to head towards the Edward's Ferry river crossing.
Captain Irvine's group quickly entered Leesburg. They found Samuel C. Means and his Union Loudoun Rangers guarding the courthouse. The Rangers had been badly beaten a few days earlier. So, they didn't fight much. They quickly retreated north up King Street (now Route 15), with four men wounded.
The Rangers fell back to Cole's Maryland Cavalry. Cole's men were positioned north of town at the Big Spring. Irvine's Confederates chased them closely. Cole's soldiers got off their horses to fight Irvine. But then, Munford's main group attacked from behind them. Munford had ridden around the Union left side, along the river. He approached their rear using Smart's Mill Lane, which Cole had left unprotected.
Cole tried to get his men back on their horses to fight Munford. However, many of his soldiers were killed or wounded before they could reach their horses. Those who did get mounted fought Munford briefly. Then they retreated towards the Catoctin Mountain and the road to Waterford. This road went through a gap in the mountain ridge. Munford chased them for two miles. He drove the Union soldiers through the gap into Loudoun Valley. After that, he stopped the chase. He had successfully cleared Leesburg and the nearby river crossings.
Who Won and What Happened
Munford had 163 soldiers in the battle. He lost 2 killed and 5 wounded. The Loudoun Rangers had about 30 men. They lost 1 killed, 6 wounded, and 4 captured. Cole's Cavalry had about 150 men. They reported 6 killed, 27 wounded, and 11 captured. Many of these casualties were officers. The Confederates won this battle.
The Battlefield Today
The main part of the battle started where the U.S. Rt. 15 Bypass meets Business Rt. 15 today. This was Cole's first position. The battle then moved southwest across what is now Morven Park and Ida Lee Park to Old Waterford Road.
The battlefield is not officially protected. However, much of Morven Park and Ida Lee Park remains undeveloped. If you follow the Civil War Trails signs to the historical marker off Tutts Lane, you can get a good idea of what the battle area looked like. Cole's original position has changed a lot due to highway construction. Also, parts of the Harrison Farm were used to build Smart's Mill Middle School and Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School. The path Munford took along Smart's Mill Lane is now a housing development. But a small part of the old road still exists within the new neighborhood.
