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Wolf Run Shoals was an important crossing point on the Occoquan River in northern Virginia between Alexandria and Richmond during the 18th and 19th centuries. It consisted of three islands and a mill, now submerged under the Occoquan due to higher water levels following damming for flood control, water supply, and power generation. It is located near the unincorporated communities of Butts Corner, Makleys Corner, and Farrs Corner in southern Fairfax County, Virginia.

History

During the American Revolutionary War on September 27, 1781, Wolf Run Shoals was the site of the southerly crossing of a combined American-French force under General George Washington and Count Rochambeau on their way to the Siege of Yorktown. It was also the site of multiple Civil War crossings by both Union and Confederate forces. Confederate General Wade Hampton's regiments encamped and picketed on the south side during the winter of 1861-2 until March 1863, while the Army of the Potomac's Second, Twelfth, and Sixth Corps forded north here in June 1863 en route to what became the Battle of Gettysburg. Shortly thereafter, Confederate General JEB Stuart's Army of Northern Virginia cavalry also crossed when the 2nd Vermont Brigade withdrew on orders and left the ford unguarded.

Present day

Today Wolf Run Shoals is only an historical and recreational site located in Fountainhead Regional Park, accessible on the northern side from Wolf Run Shoals Road in Fairfax County. An historical marker was dedicated in Clifton, Virginia on June 21, 2014.

References

1. "Wolf Run Shoals". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
2. "Military Operations". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
3. "Washington-Rochambeau Wagon Route". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
4. "Wolf Run Shoals". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
5. "Marker Dedicated at Wolf Run Shoals in Clifton Site played important role during Civil War". Retrieved July 14, 2019.

38°43′30.8″N 77°21′36.8″W / 38.725222°N 77.360222°W / 38.725222; -77.360222

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v t e Fairfax County, Virginia in the American Civil War
Battles	Battle of Blackburn's Ford Battle of Chantilly Battle of Dranesville Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1861) Battle of Fairfax Court House (June 1863) First Battle of Bull Run Second Battle of Bull Run Battle of Vienna, Virginia
Skirmishes	Bog Wallow Ambush Lewinsville
Raids	Burke's Station Raid Mosby's Raids
Units	8th Virginia Infantry 17th Virginia Infantry 1st Virginia Cavalry 43rd Battalion of Virginia Cavalry Georgia Hussars (later Jeff Davis Cavalry Legion, Company F) 3rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment 45th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment 16th Regiment New York Volunteer Cavalry First New Jersey Brigade 2nd Vermont Brigade XXII Corps (Union Army) Union Army Balloon Corps
People	Clara Barton Michael Corcoran Antonia Ford Thaddeus Lowe John Quincy Marr John S. Mosby Laura Ratcliffe Edwin H. Stoughton
Sites	Clarens (Alexandria, Virginia) Centreville Military Railroad Colvin Run Mill Fort Lyon (Virginia) Fort Marcy Park Hope Park Huntley (plantation) Fort O'Rourke Merrybrook Oak Hill (Annandale, Virginia) Okeley Manor Ossian Hall (plantation) Ox Hill Battlefield Park Ravensworth (plantation) St. Mary's Church (Fairfax Station, Virginia) Taylor's Tavern William Gunnell House (Fairfax, Virginia) Mason's Hill Minor's Hill Munson's Hill Upton's Hill Bailey's Crossroads Wolf Run Shoals

• Virginia geography stubs
• Fairfax County, Virginia, in the American Civil War
• 1781 in Virginia
• 1863 in Virginia
• American Revolutionary War
• 1863 in the American Civil War
• June 1863 events