Spotlight: Virginia - Manassas (Bull Run)

Spotlight: Manassas National Battlefield Park is the site of two important Civil War battles. While the Union referred to the battles as the First and Second Battles of Bull Run, the Confederacy named them the First and Second Battles of Manassas. Although the first shots of the war were fired at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run is considered the first major engagement between Union and Confederate troops. The battle took place on July, 21, 1861, pitting the Union troops under the command of Brigadier General Irvin McDowell against the Confederate troops under the command of Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard. The Union's goal was to overwhelm the Confederates, opening up a clear path to Richmond. They felt that if they could capture the Confederate capital, they could bring a quick end to the war. Both sides were initially ineffectual, hampered by a lack of cohesiveness and communication. Although the Union forces initially drove back the Confederate soldiers, reinforcements allowed the Confederates to carry the day. When Colonel Jeb Stuart led the Virginia cavalry in a charge against the massed Union troops, the rout was on. The Union soldiers fled in confusion toward the horrified bystanders who had come down from Washington to watch the battle while eating picnic lunches on the hills overlooking the battlefield. It was during this battle that Confederate Colonel Thomas Jackson earned the nickname "Stonewall."

     The Second Battle of Manassas was fought from August 28-30, 1862. After General Stonewall Jackson and his troops torched Union supplies at Manassas Junction, he was pursued by Gen. John Pope. Jackson's troops attacked a division of Union forces at Brawner Farm on the evening of Aug. 28th. Trying to keep the Confederate forces from escaping, Gen. Pope attacked Jackson's position throughout the day on Aug. 29. Although several of the attacks pierced Jackson's line, each one was eventually repulsed. Gen. Robert E. Lee arrived with General Longstreet's command on the 29th, blocking the arrival of Union reinforcements under the command of Fitz John Porter. On Aug. 30th, Pope continued his attempts to break the Confederate line. This time, however, Lee and Longstreet launched a major counterattack. The counterattack stalled after Union forces mounted a staunch defense on Chinn Ridge, buying Pope enough time to shift enough troops onto Henry Hill and stave of disaster. After dark, Pope's forces retreated, ending the battle, yet another victory for the Confederacy.

Monument to honor those who died at Manassas

Location: Manassas National Battlefield Park is located at 6511 Sudley Rd. in Manassas, VA.

Cost: free, but donations are accepted

Time: The battlefield is open from dawn to dusk. The Henry Hill Visitor Center is open from 8:30 - 5:00. Plan on spending 1-3 hours depending on your level of interest.

Description: Guided tours of the battlefield start at the Henry Hill Visitor Center. Tours alternate between sites from First Manassas and Second Manassas. Even without an official tour, visitors can explore the battlefields at their leisure, reading the interpretive signs along the way.

     The current Brawner Farmhouse doesn't appear to be the one that was there during the Civil War. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an older building underneath the current one, which is probably the one that existed at the time of the war. Nevertheless, the current structure underwent heavy restoration to restore it to its early 1900's appearance. Inside, the house is used as an interpretive center.

Brawner Farmhouse

     The Stone House was built in 1848 as a stop on the Fauquier and Alexandria Turnpike. Due to its strategic location, it played a role in both battles, including being used as a hospital for northern troops. It underwent reconstruction in the 1960's to restore it to its Civil War era appearance and is used as an interpretive center for visitors to the park.

The Stone House

     The Stone Bridge was originally built in 1825 to serve travelers along the Fauquier and Alexandria Turnpike. It played a role in both battles since it was the easiest way to cross the stream. In the First Battle of Manassas, Union troops forded across the stream since it was rumored that the bridge had been rigged with explosives. The Confederate forces used it throughout 1861, but blew it up in 1862 after evacuating their winter camps in Centreville and Manassas. A temporary wooden bridge was built by Union troops in 1862, but eventually a new (similar) stone bridge was constructed on the spot in 1884.

Rating: 3 stars (out of 5) - although potentially higher since we were limited on time

Things You Should Know: - Living history actors perform infantry and artillery demonstrations at Chinn Ridge on select dates throughout the year including Memorial Day and the anniversaries of the battles.
- Brawner Farm Interpretive Center and the Stone House are closed in the winter.
- When you see a statue of a mounted commander on a battlefield, the horse's legs will indicate what happened to the rider. If both legs are in the air, the rider died in battle. If one leg is in the air, then he died of wounds suffered in the battle. If all legs are on the ground, the rider survived the battle.

Nearby: Ben Lomond Historic Site, Fountainhead Regional Park, Shenandoah National Park, Arlington National Cemetery