Balls Bluff Battlefield - Access after dark

We have been granted after hours access to Balls Bluff Battlefield and possibly one of their tour guides, I am still waiting for confirmation on the tour guide, but we will at least have after dark access!!

The Battle of Ball?s Bluff was fought on October 21, 1861 and was the result of a mistake. More about the battle can be found Here but in the end Colonel Baker was killed between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. There are many stories about how he died but no firm historical consensus. Col. Milton Cogswell of the 42nd New York then took over and attempted a breakout that would have allowed the Yanks to move downriver toward Edwards Ferry where other Union troops had crossed. When the attempt failed, there was panic.

The beaten men had fought hard and well but finally were overwhelmed by fresh troops from the 17th Mississippi just before dark. Many were injured or killed trying to climb or jump down the steep cliff. Many others attempted to swim the swiftly-running river to Harrison?s Island and either drowned or were shot by Confederates on the bluff above them. Over 500 surrendered.

We will meet at 4:30 at the entrance of the park, and I will update this event as I get confirmation of the tour guide and how late we will be allowed to be there.