By a small stream

This is Bull Run, a small stream, probably only a few feet deep at most.  The bridge is called the Stone Bridge.  On July 21st, 1861 (I just realized that tomorrow is the anniversary of the battle, which was not my intent), the first shots of the First Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run, if you prefer, both are correct) were in this area, but were a diversion for a flank attack.  This bridge would also play a part in the Second Battle of Manassas a little over a year later.  This was the route the Army of the Potomac used to retreat after the battle.

The first picture shows where a Confederate general, newly arrived on the field, set his brigade.  The cannon, roughly where he put them, immediately began a duel with some Union artillery about 300 yards away.  His infantry was posted over by the trees to the right of the picture, which is on the reverse slope of Henry House Hill, where I was standing.  The second picture shows where the Union army was approaching, the hill in the distance is called Matthews’ Hill.  The house you see in this picture was built by the Henry family after the war.  The house that stood there during the battle was heavily damaged and uninhabitable.  The General that I have been talking about had been an instructor at the Virginia Military Institute before the war.  His students had called him “Old Tom Fool” for his eccentric (to put it nicely) behavior and teaching style.  After this battle, he would have a new nickname, Stonewall Jackson.  The brigade he led would be forever called the Stonewall Brigade.

Now, Second Manassas started on the Brawner farm, where Stonewall Jackson, who had been hiding all day, attacked a brigade that wandered to close to his position.  This brigade, of which most of the men were in their first fight, acquitted themselves well by standing and fighting, even though they were badly outnumbered and had been surprised by the attack.  Another brigade would earn undying glory on these fields, just a few miles from Henry House Hill, and a new nickname, the Iron Brigade.

The top image is Brawner’s Farm, where Second Manassas started.  The last three (I know it’s hard to tell, but trust me, it’s there) is an unfinished railroad cut that Jackson used for his defensive position during the battle.  Its quite overgrown, as you can tell, but it is there.  The last picture is actually in the bottom of the cut, on the north end of Jackson’s line.

It was very hot today, so I didn’t get to do as much as I had hoped, but oh well, that’s travel for you.  Happy Road-Tripping!