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Below is a list of all the Union units that were in Stafford during the First Federal Occupation. Major General Irvin McDowell commanded the Department of the Rappahannock. Brig. Gen. Rufus King’s Division: Brig. Gen. C. C. Augur’s (1st) Brigade: 22nd, 24th, 30th, 84th New York Infantry and 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters Brig. Gen. Marsena R.…

During this First Federal (Union) occupation, Brigader Rufus King’s division was initially headquartered at Chatham, known then as the Lacy House.  King is standing on the bottom porch step, in the center with a white vest.  Lt. Colonel Judson Kilpatrick is on the right.  He commanded the 2nd New York “Harris Light” Cavalry. Lacy House…

The 84th New York Volunteer Infantry , 14th New York State Militia.  “14th Brooklyn” were in Stafford during the First Federal Period.  They were known for their distinctive coats and red trousers.  The next slide tells their history for the entire war. Reenactors from New York regularly participate in Stafford’s “Yankees in Falmouth and some…

Wyman White, Company F, 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters, described entering Falmouth after they passed the scene of the previous night’s initial cavalry fight. They were witnessing the horrors of war for the first time and the memories would be indelible. White would rise to first or orderly sergeant of his company and would write his…

The 2nd  (Bate’s) Tennessee Infantry Regiment, Provisional Army of the Confederate States (PACS – AKA 2nd Confederate Regiment – as it was the second Tennessee regiment mustered-in to PACS). Organized in Nashville, TN (May 6, 1861); mustered-into CS service at Lynchburg, VA (May 12, 1861). Capt. (later Col.) William Bate bestowed the name “Walker Legion”…

A crude form of mine warfare first appeared early in the war in Stafford. On July 7, 1861, Captain Budd of the USS Resolute discovered this “infernal machine designed by the Confederates ” lying in wait for Pawnee and the Potomac Flotilla. The contraption combined watertight 80-gallon oil casks (as buoy) and 20 fathoms of…

No future naval engagements would take place at Aquia Landing, but the Union kept the Potomac Flotilla patrolling off Brent’s Point and occasionally shots were exchanged from shore or ship. On October 5, 1861, “Harper’s Weekly” contained this sketch by of the “Rebel Steamer Page, now lying at Acquia Creek.” The article related that this…

On May 31, 1861, Union Commander James Harmon Ward of the Potomac Flotilla arrived ready for action. A two to three hour fight, beginning about 10 AM, commenced. The USS Thomas Freeborn (USS Anacostia and USS Resolute lacking rifled-guns were held back) bombarded the Confederate shore battery. The Union vessels withdrew when their long-range ammunition…

Exchanges of fire continued through June 1st.  Three union ships, the USS Thomas Freeborn, USS Anacostia, and the USS Resolute were fired on by the Confederate shore batteries.  The USS Reliance was also present but stayed out of range because it lacked rifled guns.  The powerful Union ship, the USS Pawnee, also arrived mounting her…

While the Confederate forces were reinforcing Aquia Landing in Stafford, the U.S. Navy, in April of 1861, had sortied the USS Pawnee to control the Potomac opposite Alexandria.  The Pawnee, under Commander S.C. Rowan, was a 15 gun ship.  Added to the Pawnee were the steamers USS Anacostia and USS Pocahontas. John A. Dahlgren by…

Headquarters Virginia Forces, Richmond, Va., May 4, 1861. General Daniel Ruggles, Fredericksburg, Va.: General: Under the authority of the governor of Virginia, by his proclamation of the 3d instant, you are hereby authorized to call out and muster into the service of the State, volunteer companies from Fredericksburg, the counties of Stafford, Spottsylvania, and Caroline,…

The entire Virginia Defense Lines in Northern Virginia (including the Mount Vernon to Harpers Ferry sector) were commanded by Brigadier-General Philip St. George Cocke, as evidenced by his letter to Major-General Robert E. Lee related to the Aquia Defenses: Alexandria, Va., April 26, 1861 General Lee, Commander-in-Chief: The two 8-inch Columbiads have arrived, and, there…