Edwards Ferry Between Maryland and Virginia

Edward's Ferry was a ferry service that went across the Potomac River between Poolesville, Md and Leesburg, VA. During the Civil War, this ferry was extremely important because there were only a handful of ferry that crossed the river between Washington D.C. and Harper's Ferry, VA (or if after 1863, West Virginia).

Here is a list of some of the things that Edwards Ferry is known for:

a) some of the Union troops crossed here in order to be on hand for the Battle at Ball's Bluff (about 3 miles up river) however, none of these troops actually took part in the battle.

b) From Dec 1861 to March 1862, Thaddeus Lowe, USA (who was known for doing surveillance from hot air balloons) used Edwards Ferry as his base of operations.

c) June 25-27, 1863 - The Army of the Potomac (Union) used this crossing as a way to get to Gettysburg. They used 2 1,400 foot pontoon bridges in order to cross all their men.

d) August, 1863 - Elijah White's Cavalry (CSA) used this river crossing and in the process captured 16 Union soldiers and 35 horses and mules

e) July, 1864 - Jubal Early (CSA) used this crossing as he retreated from threatening Washington D.C. This was directly after the Battle of Monocacy. He destroyed a Union camp, canal lock, and several canal boats.

f) Feb 1865 - again the Confederates used this crossing in order to gain access back into Virginia.

It's amazing how one little piece of property could be used time and again. But when you stop and think about how rocky the Potomac River is, there are very few places that could be easily crossed. Edwards Ferry (along with Whites Ferry...upriver a few miles) were about the only places that could be forded....until you reached Harper's Ferry which actually had a bridge. Just a thought, but if these couple of ferry's hadn't existed, how would that have effected the war? Gettysburg wouldn't have happened....how would the Union have gotten there? Who knows where Lee would have ended up? Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York???? I think about these things and yet have no answers. I wonder what would have happened....????