Given that it sat aside the turnpike connecting Warrenton and Alexandria, the town was frequently visited by Union troops during the Civil War. It was in the vicinity of several major battles, including the Battle of Brandy Station, First and Second Battles of Bull Run, and Battle of Cedar Mountain. In the winter of 1862-1863, General William B. Franklin commanded 40,000 troops who camped there until they got their supplies from Gainesville depot. It was sometimes in the control of the Union during the war. Later in the war the second brigade of the 27th New York Volunteer Infantry commanded by General Joseph Jackson Bartlett was encamped in New Baltimore from July 31, 1863 through September 15, 1863.