This revised edition, originally published in 2004, is a result of Morgan's discovery of information not previously seen in his initial research, thus allowing him to provide greater details and insight into the Ball's Bluff story. The 2-day battles of Ball's Bluff and Edwards Ferry were fought just six months after the onset of the Civil War, and were considered the greatest defeats of the Union cause. New incidents, statistics, maps and stories are included in this already thorough and well-told account of this tragic and politically charged period in history.

Earlier edition has subtitle: The fights at Ball's Bluff and Edwards Ferry, October 21-22, 1861.

Author's preface, revised edition -- Acknowledgments -- Foreword (original edition) by Edwin C. Bearss -- New foreword by George E. Tabb, Jr. -- Introduction: Then and now -- All quiet on the Potomac -- A slight demonstration -- At the first symptoms of light -- None too good to die in -- A little short of boats -- With the steady tread of veterans -- No lizards ever got closer to the ground than we did -- Where all was lost excepting honor -- Epilogue: Success to the right -- Appendices.