Battle of Fort Stevens

Battle of Fort Stevens
Part of the American Civil War
Officers and men of the 3rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment at Fort Stevens
Date July 11–12, 1864 (1864-07-11 – 1864-07-12) Location Washington County, District of Columbia Result Union victory
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States
Commanders and leaders
Alexander M. McCook Horatio G. Wright Abraham Lincoln (observer)	Jubal Early
Strength
9,600[1]	10,000[2]
Casualties and losses
373[3]	400–500[3][4]

The Battle of Fort Stevens was an American Civil War battle fought July 11–12, 1864, in Washington County, D.C. in present-day Northwest Washington, D.C., during the Valley campaigns of 1864 between forces under Confederate Lieutenant General Jubal Early and Union Major General Alexander McDowell McCook.

Early's attack, less than 4 miles (6.4 km) from the White House, caused consternation in the U.S. government, but reinforcements under Maj. Gen. Horatio G. Wright and the strong defenses of Fort Stevens minimized the threat. Early withdrew after two days of skirmishing after attempting no serious assaults. Then U.S. President Abraham Lincoln personally observed the battle's fighting.