The Battle of Fairfax Court House occurred as Union and Confederate forces began to probe each other's strengths and positions early in the American Civil War. The engagement, fought on the outskirts of Fairfax Court House in Virginia, involved a primarily scouting action with small skirmishes between brigades. The Union forces, numbering around 6,000, were sent out under Brigadier General Robert Patterson’s command to gather intelligence on the Confederate presence. Meanwhile, Confederate forces, estimated at around 1,200 men and commanded by Colonel William M. H. Smith, were dispatched to defend key positions in the area, particularly at the critical crossroads near the courthouse.

The fighting began in the late afternoon as Union cavalry units engaged Confederate pickets, leading to exchanges of rifle fire. Despite initial success in pushing the Confederates back, the Union troops faced stiff resistance. The battle concluded after several hours with little strategic gains for either side, resulting in a withdrawal of Union forces to their camps. This short and relatively inconclusive skirmish highlighted the chaotic nature of the early stages of the Civil War, where both sides were quickly learning the demands of combat.

Although seen as a minor encounter amid larger battles, Fairfax Court House served as a precursor to understanding the standoff and the strategic importance of reconnaissance in military engagements. The Union’s inability to decisively secure this location indicated prevailing challenges in their advance into Virginia and foreshadowed the fierce fighting that would characterize the conflict in the months to follow.