History of Baileys Crossroads, (Fairfax County) Virginia United States of America

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Aug. 28-30, 1861. 2nd and 3d Michigan Infantry.

On Aug. 28, Capt. Dillman, with a detachment of 250 men of the 2nd Mich. infantry, marched from Hunter's chapel to Bailey's Cross-Roads to occupy and hold that point against Confederate encroachments.

He reached there at 10 a. m. and at once threw out pickets. The enemy's pickets maintained a fire until 10 p. m. and at daybreak on the 28th the firing was resumed, but was not returned by the Federals. Emboldened by the latter's silence, the enemy sent out a detachment of 80 to 100 men apparently with the intention of driving in the pickets on the right of Dillman's line, thus cutting off his communication with his regiment.

This movement was partially successful, but the pickets rallied and reinforced by 40 skirmishers Under Capt. Humphrey, drove back the Confederates While Maj. Champlin of the 3d Mich. engaged the enemy's front with troops of Lieut. Morris and Capt. Judd. The Federal pickets were reestablished and the forces of both sides were in the positions they had occupied in the morning.

The Federal loss was 1 mortally wounded; Confederate loss Greater.

Col. Stuart (Confederate) informed Gen. Longstreet of an "affair" here on the 27th, of which he related that at daylight on the 28th he had a piece of rifled Cannon, Washington Battery, Brought clandestinely in position to bear on Bailey's Cross-Roads and fired 4 shots, distance being by the shots 1,350 yards which dispersed the Federals at that point and developed the fact that they had no artillery there, and added:

"The fire of artillery dispersed also A Long Line of skirmishers."

His loss was 1 killed, 6 wounded and he took some prisoners. He concluded with the information that the Federals at Bailey's Cross-Roads had reassembled. Connection of this affair with others reported above is not clearly apparent.

SOURCE: The Union Army A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-65 -- Records of the Regiments in the Union Army -- Cyclopedia of Battles -- Memoirs of Commanders and Soldiers. 8 vols. Madison: Federal Publishing, 1908.

History of Baileys Crossroads, (Fairfax County) Virginia

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