Fort Stevens

Washington, DC  |  Jul 11 - 12, 1864

After his victory at Monocacy on July 9, 1864, Confederate Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early moved south toward the Union capital of Washington, D.C. On July 11, Early's skirmishers tested the fortifications that encircled the city, manned by clerks and convalescent troops. During the night, veteran Union reinforcements from the Army of the Potomac disembarked from troop transports to bolster the city's defenses. On July 12, Early made a demonstration against Fort Stevens north of the city which was repulsed. In the afternoon, a Federal counterattack drove the Confederate skirmishers back from their positions and nearby Fort DeRussy. President Abraham Lincoln watched the action and came under fire from Confederate sharpshooters. Recognizing that the Union capital was defended by veterans, Early abandoned plans of taking the city and withdrew during the night.

All battles of the Early's Maryland Campaign

Monocacy
Frederick County, MD  |  Jul 9, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 2,194
Union: 1,294
Confederate: 900
Fort Stevens
Washington, DC  |  Jul 11 - 12, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 874
Union: 374
Confederate: 500
Cool Spring
Clarke County, VA  |  Jul 18, 1864
Result: Inconclusive
Est. Casualties: 819
Union: 422
Confederate: 397
Second Kernstown
Frederick County, VA  |  Jul 24, 1864
Result: Confederate Victory
Est. Casualties: 1,800
Union: 1,200
Confederate: 600
Moorefield
Hardy, WV  |  Aug 7, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Est. Casualties: 530
Union: 42
Confederate: 488

Related Battles

Washington, DC | July 11, 1864
Result: Union Victory
Commanders
Forces Engaged
19,600
Union
9,600
Confed.
10,000
Estimated Casualties
874
Union
374
Confed.
500

The Battlefields Today