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Today in History: First Land Battle of Civil War Erupts in Fairfax

6/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On June 1, 1861, the Battle of Fairfax Court House marked the first land engagement of the American Civil War with fatalities. A Union scouting party encountered local militia in Fairfax, Virginia, resulting in the war's first deaths and the wounding of a field-grade officer, escalating the conflict that began with the bombardment of Fort Sumter.

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Story summary

On June 1, 1861, the Battle of Fairfax Court House marked the first land engagement of the American Civil War with fatalities. A Union scouting party encountered local militia in Fairfax, Virginia, resulting in the war's first deaths and the wounding of a field-grade officer, escalating the conflict that began with the bombardment of Fort Sumter.