Near Fairfax in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Ox Hill
Attack of General Birney’s Brigade
“By God, I’ll support Stevens anywhere!” exclaimed Kearny. He ordered General David Birney’s brigade to hasten forward. General John Robinson’s and Colonel Orlando Poe’s brigades were directed to follow.
Marching in heavy rain, Birney formed his line facing the cornfield, 450 yards west of here. Birney pushed forward five regiments of Maine and New York troops while holding two regiments in reserve near the Reid orchard.
Birney’s lead regiments entered the cornfield and wheeled northward to engage the North Carolina brigades of generals Branch and Pender at the edge of the woods behind a double fence. Minie balls ripped through the corn as the Confederates poured a heavy fire into the Union ranks. As Birney’s attack shifted westward in the woods, Branch extended his line accordingly to keep from being flanked. Wet ammunition ultimately caused the fight to degenerate into a vicious brawl of bayonets and clubbed muskets in the dim twilight.
Meanwhile, Kearny arrived and posted Battery E, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, on
Erected 2008 by Fairfax County Park Authority.
Location. 38° 51.883′ N, 77° 22.252′ W. Marker is near Fairfax, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from West Ox Road (Virginia Route 608). Click for map. Located at the third trail stop wayside at the Ox Hill Battlefield Park Interpretive Trail. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4134 West Ox Road, Fairfax VA 22033, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Battle of Ox Hill (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Ox Hill (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Ox Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Ox Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Maryland (Antietam / Sharpsburg) Campaign Battle of Ox Hill (Chantilly) (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Ox Hill (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Ox Hill (about 300 feet away). Click for a list of all markers in Fairfax.
More about this marker. On the upper left of the marker are two portraits captioned, Gen David B. Birney, USA and Gen. Lawrence O'Bryan Branch, CSA. On the right side of the marker is a battle map.
Also see . . .
1. Reinforcements Arrive. “A Last Salute” (Submitted on January 10, 2009.)
2. The Battle of Chantilly. Civil War Preservation Trust (Submitted on January 10, 2009.)
Categories. • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page originally submitted on . This page has been viewed 811 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on . 2. submitted on , by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on . • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.