Early Engagement - Arlington, Virginia - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

Marker Text:
On the night of June 1, 1861, a scouting party of Virginia militia attacked U.S. troops at Arlington Mill, which stood to your right. Co. E, 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, was on picket duty at the mill guarding the Columbia Turnpike and the Alexandria, Loudoun, & New Hampshire Railroad. In a nearby house Co. G, 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment (1st New York Fire Zouaves), prepared to relieve the Michigan men. At about 11 P.M., the Virginians fired at the pieckets, killing one and wounding another. The militiamen were driven off after a brief exchange of fire, with one man wounded.
The "Skirmish at Arlington Mills," as the New York Times called it, was among the first military engagements of the Civil War. It occurred only a week after the May 23 vote ratifying the secession of Virginia from the United States. The next day, President Abraham Lincoln ordered Union forces to cross the Potomac River and occupy Arlington Heights. The fight helped show that Washington was vulnerable to Confederate attacks and its defenses needed to be strengthened.

Type of site: Battlefield Address: 909 S Dinwiddie Street Arlington, Virginia United States of America 22204 Admission Charged: No Charge Website: [Web Link] Phone Number: Not listed Driving Directions: Not listed

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