Dranesville: A Northern Virginia Town in the Crossfire of a Forgotten Battle, December 20, 1861

by Ryan T. Quint

After the guns of Manassas fell silent, the opposing armies grappled for position wondering what would come next. Popular history has us believe that daily briefings reported something along the lines of “All quiet along the Potomac.” Reality was altogether different. In fact, the fall and early winter of 1861 was a hotbed of activity that culminated in the December combat at Dranesville. The Union victory—sorely needed after the string of defeats at Bull Run, Wilson’s Creek, and Ball’s Bluff—was small when measured against what was to come; it also helped shape the bloody years to follow.

Ryan Quint’s The Battle of Early War in Northern Virginia, December 1861 is the first full history of that narrow but critically important slice of the war. No one knew what was coming, but for the first time in a long while civilians (sympathetic to both sides) were thrown into a spreading civil war of their own as neighbor turned on neighbor. In time, this style of warfare, both on the home front and on the battlefield, came for the small town of Dranesville in Fairfax County.

Quint’s mostly forgotten tale uses overlooked or underused sources to sweep readers along from the White House and Secession Hall in Charleston to midnight ambushes and the climatic Dranesville action. A host of characters and commands that would become household names cut their teeth during these months, including Generals Jeb Stuart and Edward Ord, and the Pennsylvania Reserves, whose baptism of fire at Dranesville set the Keystone State soldiers on a path to becoming one of the best combat units of the entire war. Though soon eclipsed by larger and bloodier battles, Dranesville remained a defining moment for many of its participants—soldiers and civilians alike—for the rest of their lives.

Here, for the first time, shared through the eyes of those who lived it, is the story of Dranesville and the early war in Northern Virginia.

Genres: Civil War

256 pages, Hardcover

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we think Civil War battles, the obvious answer is Gettysburg. Others that follow are Shiloh, Antietam, The Wilderness, and a few others. Dranesville is not a battle people would not mention. I read a lot of books about the Civil War, and I had not even heard of this battle before this book. I am glad I read this book, and I learned new information about the war.

It was the end of 1861, and the war was not going well for the Union. The news headlines were dominated by losses at First Bull Run (aka Manassas), Balls Bluff, and Wilson's Creek. Fortune was currently smiling on the Confederate States of America. In Dranesville, Virginia, however, a battle was fought on December 20,1861 that pushed the momentum to the North. Pennsylvania soldiers led by Edward Ord defeated Jeb Stuart and his Confederate forces. The battle boosted the morale of the Union. If you know about the war, you know in early 1862 things got worse for the Confederacy. It can be argued Dranesville was the start. Jeb Stuart performed poorly at Dranesville, but this is never discussed because his actions at Gettysburg outweigh what he did in this small battle.

The book also gets into the division of the people in Dranesville. Some were staunch unionists whereas others were loyal to their new government. The author clearly is using Dranesville as a symbol of the country being torn apart and lives just destroyed by the carnage.

This book was a quick read, but it was well written and provided new information about a battle I knew nothing about. It was interesting seeing the names of people who would have a more significant part in the war and their connection to Dranesville. Highly recommend!

[Bruce Quint · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it to be a very enjoyable read. The author’s descriptive style put you right in the middle of the battle. I have always enjoyed listening to his presentations, as he is passionate about his work. I am also proud to say that the author is my son.

[Laurie Quint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent coverage of a smaller battle. It was very interesting to read about the residents of the town and various soldiers before, during, and after the battle. It definitely brought the human aspect to the forefront.
Quint has completed meticulous research and found an amazing number of primary sources that were previously unknown or unpublished. With a bibliography of 20 pages, you can be sure that he left no stone unturned when searching for information.
This was a great read. Even better than his first book “Determined to Stand and Fight””

[William Olenick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little discussed action is brought to life through the history of the town, its citizens and a mirco civil war within the war by those residing there.
The forces of General McCall and specifically those of his subordinate Edward Ord commander of a brigade of PA Reserves.
Thier direct opponent in Colonel JEB Stuart who leads infantry forces is handled roughly. Good photos and several maps support the text.

[W Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the Battle of Dranesville is often overlooked in the history of the American Civil War, Quint has made sure it will not be forgotten. He has written an excellent account of the community and the battle. His book is well researched and written. It is a welcome addition to Civil War scholarship.

[Lisa Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very succinctly written, kept interest, lived near where the battle occurred,