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Battle of Dranesville

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1861 battles,

19th century America,

American Civil War,

Balls Bluff,

Battle of Dranesville,

Civil War battles,

Civil War cannons,

Civil War history,

Confederate troops,

Dranesville Virginia,

First Manassas,

First Union victory,

historic tavern,

Jeb Stuart,

Military History,

Northern Virginia,

photo of the week,

Union Army,

US History,

Virginia history,

wagon trains,

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In 1810 Washington James Drane builds a two-story hotel, tavern and fenced-in field along the 35 mile road between Leesburg and Alexandria, Virginia. From then on the village of Dranesville offers a convenient stop-over for wagon train travelers and animal drovers. Quiet prevails until December 20, 1861 when members of Union General Edward War bump into 1750 Confederate troops led by Jeb Stuart southeast of town. A two hour battle ensues with Stuart gradually retreating south toward Centerville in the face of superior cannon fire and attacks on his flanks. After losses at I Manassas and Ball’s Bluff, this becomes the first Union victory of the war.

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