Longstreet Moves His Advanced Line Forward

On August 27th General James Longstreet ordered Colonel J.E.B. Stuart to take Munson’s and Mason’s Hills. Fighting was fierce on Munson’s Hill involving the 13th VA led by J. Barbour Terrill, assisted by the 1st MD commanded by Lieutenant Hugh Mitchell. They battled a small Union force of about 60 men. Lieutenant Mitchell was severely wounded, Private John Hartigan slightly wounded, and Private James Sizer had a leg amputated. Confederates killed were Corporal Henry Arnold and Privates Fountaine and Marcellus Robinson. Two Federals were killed and 6 captured. Stuart occupied the high ground with the 1st MD, 2nd and 15th GA, 13th, 24th and 28th VA, 5th NC and 3rd SC. Thomas Rosser’s Washington Artillery was also present and could sweep the plains of Bailey’s and Ball’s Crossroads in the area between both armies. Stuart established his headquarters at Munson’s Hill. A Confederate flag on Munson’s Hill was visible from the White House and U.S. Capitol. From Mason’s Hill houses in Washington were visible allowing potential communication with Confederate spies in the city. A telescope was obtained from Charleston for this purpose and a signalman was disguised and sent to the city to look for a suitable home but the scheme was never put into operation.