Manassas

In commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War, we visit a Civil War site every fall. In 2011 we went to Gettysburg and in 2012 we went to Antietam.

This year we went to the Manassas which was the site of not one, but two, famous Civil War battles. These battles may be better known to my readers as the First and Second Battle of Bull Run. Bull Run is the name given to these battles by the Union, but the Confederate won both battles and, therefore, had the privilege of bestowing the official name. One thing that we learned on this trip is that the Union tended to name battles after bodies of water (Antietam after Antietam Creek, Bull Run after Bull Run), whereas the Confederate typical named battles after the region and surrounding land.

The Battle of First Manassas took place near the beginning of the war in July of 1861. The main thing that I remembered about this battle was that citizens from nearby Washington brought picnic baskets to eat while they watched the fighting. I am sure that I remembered this because it is so, so wrong, and, of course, it all went terribly wrong for the picnickers as they ended up watching the Union panic and make a very hasty retreat.

The Henry House was a stronghold for the Confederates during the Battle of First Manassas

The Battle of  First Manassas was also the battle that earned General Thomas J. Jackson the nickname Stonewall. As under heavy enemy fire the Southerners held back the Federal soldiers despite losses, Brigadier General Barnard Bee shouted to his men, "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer. Follow me."

Upon seeing the monument to Stonewall Jackson and observing the style in which it was rendered, Nate said, "Do you think this was erected during the 1930s?" I was a proud Art Historian in that moment.

The Battle of Second Manassas took place one year after the Battle of First Manassas, in the summer of 1862. Once again the battle involved General Jackson. This time, thinking that Jackson was isolated, General Pope attacked, hoping to defeat Jackson's forces before Lee and Longstreet could arrive. He was mistaken, and Lee, Jackson, and Longstreet out-maneuvered the Union forces until they were facing annihilation. A heroic stand by northern troops, especially the 5th New York Volunteer Infantry, allowed the Union army to retreat across Bull Run and make their way to Washington. Lee's victory at Second Manassas allowed the Confederate army to invade the north and bid for foreign intervention.

 Brawner Farm - Where the action began on August 28

Beckett thinks he is hilarious

Battery Heights - this hill was a highly sought-after strategic position, now with super-cool trees.

We really enjoyed walking along The Unfinished Railroad. (Beckett kept asking why the railroad was unfinished. Where's the train?) The railroad bed provided a sheltered defensive position for Jackson's troops.

The Stone House was built in 1828 and served as a hospital during the two battles.

We saw quite a few families taking holiday pictures at the Stone House.

The Stone Bridge - The Confederate troops destroyed the Stone Bridge in March of 1862. It was rebuilt in the 1880s.

Beckett reads the map at the Confederate Cemetery.

Kids getting old-timey at the Civil War battlefield of Manassas where brother fought against brother.

After our tour we took the kids to get ice cream despite the fact that it really was a cold as it looked. They were thrilled.