Cole’s three companies had taken position on a slight eminence about a mile north of town. In taking up this position Cole had dismounted his troopers and sent the horses to the rear near Big Spring; one holder was in charge of four horses, thus depleting his fighting strength by one fourth. (Cole’s line was in the “V” between old Route 15 and the new part that has been recently straightened, and approximately on the ridge at the entrance to Ball’s Bluff.)
Fences bordered the road and a wheat field in shocks was on the southeast side. Irvine’s squadron had followed Means from the town and was firing from behind the shocks as they drove the Loudoun Rangers back on Cole’s line.
Irvine had performed his work well, for in attacking from the front he had allowed Munford with the rest of the regiment to circle around behind Cole unnoticed. Suddenly from the rear came the horseholders at a full gallop shouting, “Here come the Rebs.” Munford with most of his regiment riding boot to boot and shouting at the top of their lungs was upon them. No time was lost in formal maneuvers as Cole shouted to his men to mount up and charge to the right—the melee was on. Some of the blue troopers were shot down and sabred before they could mount, others were captured on foot; many with blood streaming down their faces from sabre cuts on the head.
The melee developed into a running fight as Cole led his men toward the mountain road that runs past the Burdett Wright farm toward Waterford. Again the sabre was freely used as it was impossible to reload revolvers on moving horses. The pursuit continued for about two miles until Munford called a halt to secure horses and prisoners that had been passed in the chase.
From existing reports it is difficult to reconcile either the strength or the casualties for the opposing forces in this engagement. Munford officially reported his strength at 163. This figure seems low, for at this early date in the war a company of only 16 men was the exception rather than the rule. Munford adds further that: “A squadron of 40 men under Captain H. Clay Dickinson disgraced itself, having run as far as Goose Creek and failed to support the regiment in the fight.” The usual Confederate system for reporting strength was to count only those on the field with musket in hand; thus, it is possible that the 2nd Virginia Cavalry had a pre-battle strength of 203 of all ranks.
The Confederates list only 2 killed and 5 badly wounded; evidently there were no slightly wounded or they failed to report them.
The Union strength was not reported officially. Goodhart, the company historian, estimates the Loudoun Rangers had 30 men on the field. Its casualties were 1 killed, 6 wounded and 4 captured; four of the wounded also fell into the hands of the enemy. Cole’s strength may be placed at 150 or an average of 50 men per company for his three companies. The battalion historian gives the names, which total 6 killed, 27 wounded, of whom 11 were captured, as the losses sustained.
Goodhart says that this engagement coming in such close succession after the debacle at Waterford, and before the company had attained proficiency in discipline and drill, seriously affected recruiting and nearly broke up the company.
It is interesting to note the high percentage of officers among the casualties; this is no doubt due to the fact that in cavalry the officers rode in front and led the charge.
The psychological effect of a mounted charge, particularly when a surprise, is powerful. In this instance the 2nd Virginia Cavalry with about 200 men was reported by Cole as an entire brigade.