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.
Cole’s great mistake was of course in not posting pickets at his rear and flanks to prevent just what happened, a surprise attack. He left the Smart’s Mill road, less than a half mile from his flank, entirely unguarded; a fatal mistake as it left open a road mostly sheltered from view for Munford to follow to his rear.
Munford appears to have handled his operations without flaw. He kept his men well under control, even in pursuit of Cole, which so often broke up commands and caused the men to scatter and not answer recall. He was completely successful in clearing the enemy from the area to allow Lee’s infantry and artillery to make uninterrupted marches to the river crossings.
Source material has been drawn from the following sources:
Goodhart: The History of the Loudoun Rangers Newcomer: Cole’s Maryland Cavalry Official Records: Vol. XIX parts 1 & 2 Manuscripts of an unpublished history of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry now in the library at Duke University
Members of the Loudoun County Historical Society