#second manassas

Looking west at the Stone Bridge in the foreground and behind it the modern bridge that carries US 29. In this presentation at Pamplin Park’s “Museum of the Civil War Soldier” conference, historian John Hennessy discusses the Stone Bridge at Manassas, which figured into both the First and Second battles at Bull Run, aka Manassas. The video’s description reads, “Historian John Hennessy talked…

Logistics – A Horse Soldier Perspective

First off, thanks to all who responded to the series of posts last week using the setting of Gettysburg to discuss some of the staff-related activities on the battlefield. Much of that readers have seen or heard before. I just felt compelled to collect those observations into one package. If nothing else, to break the monotony of ordnance summaries. I enjoyed writing those. And from the feedback,…

September 12, 1862, 4 A.M. Sleepless President wires McClellan: "How does it look now?" [No answer to this telegram has been found.]

Later the President is still interested in troop movement in Maryland. Writes Gen. McClellan: "Receiving nothing from Harper's Ferry or Martinsburg to-day, and positive information from Wheeling that the line is cut, corroborates the idea that the enemy is recrossing the Potomac. Please do not let him get off without being hurt." [Source: The Lincoln Log]

– Gen. Barnard Bee

https://vimeo.com/145905599

  First Manassas Battlefield

  Henry Hill Visitor Center

The Henry Hill Visitor Center is where everyone should start their visit of the Manassas Battlefields.  There is a small $3.00 entrance fee to visit all the locations and the ticket is valid for three days.  I found the small museum inside along with the one hour video to be very beneficial to get me into the right mindset before my tour of the actual battlefield.  The video starts every hour on the hour and it is a very well made and informative learning experience.  Keep your receipt because you may be asked for it when you visit other locations, like Brawner Farm (discussed on the Second Manassas post).

Some Key Players

Federal commander: General Irvin McDowell

Confederate commander:  General P.G.T. Beauregard

Confederate General General Thomas J. Jackson

Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston

On July 21, 1861 both the Union and Confederate armies fought for the first time on the fields of Bull Run.  Many soldiers and civilians thought the battle would be a quick affair.  In fact, many thought that the war would also be short and could possibly be over by the end of the battle.  Both sides soon learned that the American Civil War would not be over quickly.

Only July 16, 1861 McDowell’s army of 35,000 strong marched out of Washington, D.C. on a mission to capture the Confederate capital city of Richmond.  The Federals were sure that capturing Richmond would end the war.

On July 21, 1861 the Federal commander, General Irvin McDowell sent attack columns north of the Confederate position to Sudley Springs Ford.  This movement put the Federal force on the Confederate left flank.*  McDowell needed to distract the Confederate force so he ordered a diversionary attack where the Warrenton Turnpike crossed Bull Run at the Stone Bridge.*  At 5:30 a.m. began the diversionary attack at the stone bridge.  The battle had begun.

View from Henry Hill facing the direction of the Federal main attack.

  https://vimeo.com/145993877

  The grave of Judith Carter Henry who was killed in the battle of First Manassas.

  More History 

Rickett’s Battery 

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James Brewerton Ricketts was commanding the Battery I, 1st U.S. when he was wounded and captured by Confederate infantry that over ran his position on Henry Hill.  Ricketts was shot four times, but recovered from his wounds.  He was later released in a prisoner exchange. *

  This is where the home of James Robinson once stood.  Robinson was of mixed racial parentage and was a free man.  During the battle of First Manassas, Robinson submitted a claim for $2,608.00 worth of damages due to the battle.  Only $1,249.00 was reimbursed to Robinson and his family.*

  More Photos

          Visitor Information

The Manassas National Battlefield Park is open daily during daylight hours except on Thanksgiving and Christmas day.  As mentioned earlier, a park entrance fee of $3.00 is required to enter the park and is valid for three days.  The Henry Hill Visitor Center provides maps, an orientation film, and a museum exhibit.  There is a also a neat gift shop.

Directions

Manassas National Battlefield Park/6511 Sudley Road/Manassas, VA 20109/703-361-1339

*Information for this post was obtained from data gathered from the Henry Hill Visitor Center, online resources, and academic studies.

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"In my feeble estimation, General McClellan, with all his laurels, sinks into insignificance beside the true heroine of the age, the angel of the battlefield." Dr. James Dunn Surgeon at the Battle of Antietam

With the outbreak of war and the cascade of wounded Union soldiers into Washington, Miss Barton quickly recognized the unpreparedness of the Army Medical Department. For nearly a year, she lobbied the Army bureaucracy in vain to bring her own medical supplies to the battlefields. Finally, with the help of sympathetic U. S. Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts, Miss Barton was permitted to bring her supplies to the battlefield. Her self-appointed military duties brought her to some of the ugliest battlefields of 1862—Cedar Mountain, Va., Second Manassas, Va., Antietam, Md., and Fredericksburg, Va.

 "I may sometimes be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay." Clara Barton

August 28th-30th, 1862