"Conrad's Ferry, Md., above Harrison's Island, on the Potomac River, the place of passage of Colonel Baker's Regiment, October 21st, 1861. Conrad's Ferry is situated on the Maryland side of the Upper Potomac, about five miles above Edward's Ferry. It was in possession of the Federal troops. It commands a view of Harrison's Island, the scene of so much disaster at the battle of Ball's Bluff, and is immediately opposite to Leesburg Heights, the town of Leesburg being about five miles from the Ferry, on the south side of the Potomac." —Leslie, 1896

Conrad's Ferry

"Conrad's Ferry, Md., above Harrison's Island, on the Potomac River, the place of passage of Colonel…

"Battle at Dam No. 4, Potomac River, between Butterfield's brigade and a large Confederate force. A desperate and disastrous action occurred on the banks of the Potomac, at Dam No. 4. General Butterfield's brigade, consisting of the Forty-fourth New York, Seventeenth New York, Eighteenth Massachusetts and One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, were ordered to make a reconnoissance on the Virginia side. Crossing over at Dam No. 4, which is about six miles northwest in a straight line from Sharpsburg, and eight south from Williamsport, they had hardly landed when a most murderous fire was opened upon them from an entire division of the Confederate army, every volley of which told, as they had the Federals completely under range. The Federals made a desperate resistance, but they were compelled to retire before superior numbers, and retreated in moderate order across the river." —Leslie, 1896

Battle at Dam No. 4

"Battle at Dam No. 4, Potomac River, between Butterfield's brigade and a large Confederate force. A…

"Battle at Dam No. 4, Potomac River, between Butterfield's brigade and a large Confederate force. A desperate and disastrous action occurred on the banks of the Potomac, at Dam No. 4. General Butterfield's brigade, consisting of the Forty-fourth New York, Seventeenth New York, Eighteenth Massachusetts and One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, were ordered to make a reconnoissance on the Virginia side. Crossing over at Dam No. 4, which is about six miles northwest in a straight line from Sharpsburg, and eight south from Williamsport, they had hardly landed when a most murderous fire was opened upon them from an entire division of the Confederate army, every volley of which told, as they had the Federals completely under range. The Federals made a desperate resistance, but they were compelled to retire before superior numbers, and retreated in moderate order across the river." —Leslie, 1896

Battle at Dam No. 4

"Battle at Dam No. 4, Potomac River, between Butterfield's brigade and a large Confederate force. A…

"Battle at Dam No. 4, Potomac River, between Butterfield's brigade and a large Confederate force. A desperate and disastrous action occurred on the banks of the Potomac, at Dam No. 4. General Butterfield's brigade, consisting of the Forty-fourth New York, Seventeenth New York, Eighteenth Massachusetts and One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania, were ordered to make a reconnoissance on the Virginia side. Crossing over at Dam No. 4, which is about six miles northwest in a straight line from Sharpsburg, and eight south from Williamsport, they had hardly landed when a most murderous fire was opened upon them from an entire division of the Confederate army, every volley of which told, as they had the Federals completely under range. The Federals made a desperate resistance, but they were compelled to retire before superior numbers, and retreated in moderate order across the river." —Leslie, 1896

Battle at Dam No. 4

"Battle at Dam No. 4, Potomac River, between Butterfield's brigade and a large Confederate force. A…

"Edward's Ferry, Md., below Harrison's Island, on the Potomac River, the place of the passage of General Banks's division, October 22nd, 1861."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Edward's Ferry

"Edward's Ferry, Md., below Harrison's Island, on the Potomac River, the place of the passage of General…

The activity of the Confederates on the Potomac and the confluent rivers was almost incredible. In one night some point hitherto defenseless was made to bristle with cannon, and the first intimation of its locality was a leaden messenger winging its way on its mission of death. A party of the Tenth Regiment of New York Zuoaves, while out scouting through a dense wood, came suddenly in sight of Messech's Point, and there beheld the Confederates at work upon an almost completed battery, which had sprung up with magical rapidity.

Discovery of a Confederate Battery at Messech's Point

The activity of the Confederates on the Potomac and the confluent rivers was almost incredible. In one…

View of Mount Vernon, home of George Washington

Mount Vernon

View of Mount Vernon, home of George Washington

Mount Vernon, located near Alexandria, Virginia, was the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The mansion is built of wood in neoclassical Georgian architectural style, and the estate is located on the banks of the Potomac River.

Mt. Vernon

Mount Vernon, located near Alexandria, Virginia, was the plantation home of the first President of the…

"Long Bridge across the Potomac at Washington, D.C." -Gordy, 1916

Potomac River Long Bridge

"Long Bridge across the Potomac at Washington, D.C." -Gordy, 1916