The Bulletin of the Loudoun County Historical Society, Volume IV, 1965

This volume of a local historical society’s bulletin offers a vivid snapshot of mid‑century community life in Leesburg, Virginia. Readers hear the names of dedicated volunteers, membership details, and the society’s mission to keep Loudoun County’s past alive. The tone feels like a friendly invitation to explore archives, newspapers, and personal letters that have shaped the region.

The centerpiece is a meticulously researched essay on the 1861 Battle of Ball’s Bluff, presented through both official military records and the personal memories of Colonel E. V. White. The narrative dismantles the myth of a careless blunder, revealing the calculated strategies of Generals Stone and Evans and the broader tactical chess game across the Potomac. Listeners will gain a fresh appreciation for how local geography, intelligence gathering, and split‑second decisions turned a small river crossing into a defining moment of the Civil War.