The First Battle of Manassas

27 Pages·1995·28.779 MB·English

by  William C Davis

MANASSAS
TEXT BY WILLIAM C. DAVIS
Maps by George Skoch
Thanks to Chris Bryce, Ed Raus, Mike Litterst, and the interpretive staffat Manassas National Battlefield Park.
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THE FIRST Sumter. It was a momentous step, the most
fateful taken so far, and evelything that fol
lowed for the next four years was a result.
BATTLE OF MANASSAS
Shock waves swept 011h and South
alike. Surprisingly, Davis and his govern
~na blistering hotjuly day in 1861 in The election of1860 brought
ment felt that they were fully justified in
~northern Virginia, men who for gener Abraham Lincoln to the presidency at the
bombarding Fort Sumter. After all, they
ations had been friends, fathers, and sons, head ofa new Republican Palty avowedly
were only ttying to take back their own
brothers even, put aside their bonds of opposed to the fLu1her spread ofslavely
soil now that South Carolina was part ofa
brotherhood and blood and took up arms, and implicitly in favor of its universal abo
new "nation." Many in the South did not
to shed that blood ifthey could. America lition if possible. Though Lincoln promised
expect the United States to be especially
had gone mad and gone to war with itself. before the election that he would not inter
aggrieved over being shot at. Moreover, CONFEDERATE TROOPS
Perhaps it was inevitable. Old ani fere with slavely where it already existed, LIKE THESE MEMBERS
Southern leaders-but not Davis-persuad
OF THE 1ST VIRGINIA
mosities and antagonisms had somewhat the storm offear that swept the South after
ed themselves that the Yankees were too INFANTRY EAGERLY
divided the interests and sympathies ofthe his election left few willing to believe him. AWAIT THE COMING
cowardly, too miserly, to expend any
CONFLICT.
northern and southern colonies even The only hope for the South seemed to lie
blood or treasure on fighting back.
(VM)
before they won their independence in in secession, withdrawing from the Union
Consequently, they were more than sur
another, earlier war. Then, once they to create its own Southern, slaveholders'
prised when a wave ofanger and humilia and 011h Carolina joined with the
became the United States, events showed nation. In Februaly 1861 representatives
tion surged through the North and when Confederacy. In each state, as with those
just how much there was to separate them. from the first six states to secede met and
Lincoln on April 17 issued a proclamation that had seceded earlier, among the first
Most especially, the issue ofslavery set framed the Confederate States ofAmerica,
calling out up to 75,000 volunteers to put acts after voting for secession was to seize
them at odds, as the North eventually abol withjefferson Davis ofMississippi as its
down the "rebellion." How dare Lincoln United States armories, arsenals, forts, and
ished bonded servitude, while the states president. Two months later, in an eff0l1 to
fight back? Indeed, how dare he fight at shipyards, and with them their weapons
south ofMason and Dixon's line clung to it evict United States soldiers from their post
all, since the South only took back what and machinery. While this was important
not only for its labor system, but also as a on what was now Confederate soil,
belonged to it in the first place, or so evelywhere, nowhere was it as vital as in
symbol ofa way oflife. Unfortunately for Southern guns around Charleston Harbor
Southerners reasoned. Worse yet, by the Old Dominion.
all, the issue became enmeshed with the in South Carolina opened fire on Fort
speaking of putting down a "rebellion," Virginia would b the northeastern
struggle for power in the national govern
THE ATTACK ON FORT SUMTER. Lincoln declined to recognize their right to border ofthe new Confederacy. Only the
ment. Seeing more and more "free" states
(LC) withdraw from the Union, and then he Potomac River separated it from Maryland,
entering the Union, the "slave" states saw
went even fUl1her by authoriZing what Washington, D.C., and the Union. The
themselves at risk of
could be the largest army ever assembled, shipyard at orfolk was the finest in the
becoming a minority
75,000 men, obviously intending to have it countly. More important still, at Harpers
in representation
"invade" Southern soil. To Confederates Feny, fifty miles up the Potomac from
and power-in
and to sympathizers in other Southern Washington, the nited States armolY and
Washington. When
states not yet seceded, the firing on Fort arsenal were a major source of rifles and
that happened, they
Sumter was an act ofself-defense and weapons manufacturing equipment. But
feared, the national
nothing more. But Lincoln's act, they most important ofall was Virginia's strate
government might
now reasoned, constituted an outright gic location and geography. Any invasion
strike to abolish slav
act of war. ofthe Confederacy by those 75,000 volun
ery evelywhere. The
As a result, in the weeks following teers ofLincoln's would naturally come
result could be eco
Lincoln's proclamation other slave states through the state. That meant that Virginia
nomic and social ruin
that had been wavering made their deci was destined to be the first battleground, if
for the South.
sion. Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, any battles were to be fought. Moreover,
1 2
intimately acquainted with the ground possible. Moreover, at ManassasJunction from pupils when he taught at
below the Potomac. Even before the first the line connected with the Manassas Gap the Virginia Military
Confederate troops started to arrive, Lee, Railroad. It stretched west across the Blue Institute-named Colonel
now a general, began planning the defense Ridge to the Shenandoah Valley. Lee had ThomasJonathan
ofhis beloved Virginia. to hold it, too, to preserve the possibility Jackson. At once
Lee and those advising him knew at ofshifting troops east or west ofthe Jackson set about
a glance that they could not keep the mountains to meet sudden threats. turning these raw
Yankees entirely out ofVirginia. After all, Thus circumstances demanded that recruits into soldiers
only the Potomac River separated the state Lee hold ManassasJunction at the very and the soldiers
from Washington, and the Unionists held least. Happily, just a few miles north ofthe into the nucleus of
the bridges crossing the stream. Lee could junction ran a stream called Bull Run. With the infant Army of
try to resist a Federal crossing, but he banks too steep to ford just anywhere, it the Shenandoah.
knew it would be nothing more than a was crossable only at a stone bridge on Richmond could
NEW FEDERAL the Blue Ridge Mountains running roughly delaying action. Instead, he looked to suit the road to Warrenton and at a handful of assign its own state militia
RECRUITS SET UP nOltheast to southwest in the middle ofth able ground a little south ofthe Potomac, fords. Fortify those crossings, reasoned Lee, commanders to start all of
ENCAMPMENTS
THROUGHOUT THE state neatly separated the eastern halfof for places where the geography would and he could stop an invader. this work, but as soon as Virginia
WASHINGTON AREA. Virginia from the Shenandoah Valley to the favor defending against an invasion. Other Almost as soon as Virginia seceded, became a new state in the Confederacy
THOMAS J. JACKSON
SHOWN HERE ARE
west. That valley ended at Harpers Feny, considerations influenced his thinking at Letcher sent Brigadier General Philip St. andJefferson Davis took over direction of
MEMBERS OF THE 1ST (LC)
RHODE ISLAND and an army could move up or down the the same time. The Orange & Alexandria George Cocke to take charge ofstarting military defense, it would be up to him to
INFANTRY.
valley virtually unseen. Yankees, entering Railroad connected Washington with the the defenses. The outlook did not look select and assign overall commanders and
(LC)
at the n01th, could suddenly appear interior ofthe Old Dominion. Invading promising. He had only 300 men, no can to press forward the work. From faraway
somewhere in the heartland ofthe state, enemies would naturally try to seize the non, no staff, and no experienced engi Montgomery the preSident cast about for
behind Confederate lines, with potentially line, deny it to the Confederates, and use it neers to plan the defenses. But Cocke did the right men and did not have to look far.
disastrous results. Or Confederates could themselves as a supply line on an invasion. have imagination, energy, and dedication As soon as Virginia seceded he inquired
move north in the Shenandoah and find Lee must hold as much ofthat line as and Lee standing behind him. As soon as about the intentions ofLee and was
themselves on the Potomac, ready to he could, Lee began to forward men and pleased that he would accept command of
invade the North without having been artillery to the Manassas line. Meanwhile, Virginia state forces. While a distinguished
detected. all across the Confederacy men were vol soldier, Lee had little experience ofcom-
All ofthis and mol' called for a unteering, and as soon as they could be mand in combat, and Davis did not yet
sudden and dramatic shift ofConfederate organizedJefferson Davis sent them to look to him as a field commander.
attention to Virginia. Even before the state Virginia, often even before they had uni Another Virginian, however, immedi
seceded, Jefferson Davis sent emissaries to forms and weapons, and almost always ately came to mind. Joseph E. Johnston
the Old Dominion's organized militia. After before they knew even the rudiments of had an excellent career in the old United
secession, he immediately tried to cooper training. They could practice their drill and States Army and had won battlefield pro
ate with GovernorJohn Letcher in mobiliz learn their commands once they arrived. motions in the Mexican War. Moreover, he
ing that militia even while Davis began the Meanwhile, out in the Shenandoah, Lee was a Virginian and could be expected to
task of building an army of his own to had to look to the defense ofHarpers know the country. He was a small, slight
oppose Lincoln's. While Davis worked, Feny, too. With troops being sent to the man, who looked every inch a soldier. And
Letcher's first significant step was to arsenal village, someone had to take yet, in Virginia parlors people told stories
appoint a recently resigned United States charge. The man Letcher chose to appoint about him. He had a fine reputation as an
officer to take command ofall state forces. was an oddity-religious fanatic, excellent marksman, yet when he went
He turned to Robert E. Lee, a Virginian, a PHILIP ST. GEORGE COCKE hypochondriac, a stern disciplinarian who shooting with friends he seemed always
soldier ofnational reputation, and a man (VM) survived ridicule and assassination threats hesitant to shoot at the quail they hunted.
3 4
~- Charles/own N
,- would form brigades composed ofthree or
t
,.04 • Smithfield more regiments, as much as possible keep
17"ERSON
. o= to ing outfits from the same state together.
•Winchester Miles But when it came to selecting men to
\ conunand those brigades-they would be
•Roc/wille
\ conunissioned colonels or brigadier gener
"- AsGhabpy's als-the decision lay withJefferson Davis.
•
-. Pari.~ Drallcsuille It helped that late in May Davis and the
eAldie government shifted from MontgomelY to
Ifthere were
\~
Richmond to be nearer the scene ofaction,
fears that ,~);
01\1 and now the president could see personal
Johnston \
y_ ........... S;'~~~c?' _ _. _ M~OWELL ly to the organization ofhis armies' high
might be too SPtieadtl!olIllollt MOllassasGapR./(. 'A.Hay-market HStOOlIllsC: CoFuaritrHfaoxuse ......... Alexandria command. EventuallyJohnston would have
reluctant to
five brigades: Virginians commanded by
act in the
Jackson, Alabamians and Mississippians
Shenandoah's
P.G.T. BEAUREGARD under Colonel Edmund Kirby Smith,
defense, others \Varrell(OIl
(LC) Alabamians led by Brigadier General
might also THE CONFEDERATE
Barnard E. Bee, Georgians under Colonel GOVERNMENT HAD ORIG-
worry that
INALLY BEEN SEATED IN
THEARMIESMOVE TOMANASSAS themselves, farm boys from Georgia, stu Francis Bartow, and a mixed brigade
Beauregard MONTGOMERY,
Bylatespring 1861 GeneralPG.T Beauregard'sArmy o./thePotomac takes up
dents from South Carolina, clerks and answering to Colonel Arnold Elzey. By ALABAMA, BEFORE
would act positions aroundManassasjunction. Onjuly 16, GeneralIruin McDowell'sArmy0./
TRANSFERRING TO
Northeastern Virginia moves outfrom Washington, D.C, with hopes 0./capturing the shopkeepers from Alabama, street toughs mid-July the Army ofthe Shenandoah
too qUickly RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.
junction. To meetthis threat Generaljoseph E..Johnston moves hisAl'my ofthe from Louisiana, and more, all were numbered perhaps 12,000 or thereabouts ON MAY 20, 1861, THE
or rashly.
Shenandoah toManassas..Johnston is able to elu.dea Unionforce undel'General unskilled and inexperienced at war. The and represented almost every state in the VIRGINIA STATE CAPITAL
Only time RobertPatterson and uses theManassas GapRailroadto transporthisfone rapidly to ALSO BECAME THE
Beauregard's assistance. generals worked tirelessly to turn them Confederacy. Beauregard commanded CAPITAL OF THE
would tell.
into soldiers even as they conunenced the somewhat more, around 20,000, divided CONFEDERATE STATES
OF AMERICA.
The birds were always too high, the sun in was to be another, who should command construction oftheir defenses to retard a eventually into seven brigades. Cocke com
(LC)
his eyes, or the barking dogs too distract in it except the victor? Beauregard came Yankee advance. Young volunteers who manded one. Colonel Theophilus Holmes
ing. While others banged away, often miss from Louisiana, was short but very fit and enlisted for a quick glorious fight in order
ing but still bagging some birds,Johnston military, and took pains to present as fine to return home as heroes quickly chaffed
came back with an empty game sack. But an appearance as possible. He was an under a routine that included rising at
at least his reputation remained intact. He excellent engineer and much thought ofin 5 A.M., drill halfan hour later, breakfast at
had not missed a single shot because he the old army, having been superintendent 6, guard practice at 7, drill at 8, more drill
had not taken one. Would he be the same ofthe Military Academy at West Point at 10:30 until 1P.M., drill again at 3, and
as a general? when the secession crisis came. He was dress parade at 6.
Davis assigned Johnston command of also vain, prickly, and given on occasion Then came the matter oftheir organi
the growing forces in the Shenandoah. to fantastical thinking. If there were fears zation and who should command them.
Meanwhile, to command the army being thatJohnston might be too reluctant to act Volunteers formed into companies ofabout
formed on the Manassas line, there was in the Shenandoah's defense, others might 100 and elected their own captains and
almost never a question as to who should also warty that Beauregard would act too lieutenants. State authorities joined ten
lead it. General P. G. T. Beauregard was quickly or rashly. Only time would tell. companies to form a regiment and allowed
the darling ofthe Confederacy after his Nor wereJohnston and Beauregard the company officers to elect the regimen
capture ofFort Sumter. The South had the only untried men upon whom the tal colonel, or else the governors appoint
fought one "battle" such as it was. If there Confederacy would depend. The soldiers ed them. NowJohnston and Beauregard
5 6
took another, as did the crusty Lincoln looked immediately to him to cast them to use the rails to reinforce one
Richard S. Ewell ofVirginia, a plan for taking Virginia and Richmond another. Do that, push past the Bull Run
and fellow Virginian quickly and putting down the rebellion. line, move into the Shenandoah and then
ColonelJubal A. Early, Scott was a Virginian himself, though his turn east at one ofthe Blue Ridge gaps,
with his quaint lisp. loyalty to the Union never wavered, and and Richmond would be easy prey.
Milledge L. Bonham he saw at once the same geographical Early inJune Scott assigned Brigadier
ofSouth Carolina features that Davis and his generals appre General Roben Patterson to the task of
led fellow ciated. Especially once Richmond became forming an army in and around
Palmettos, as did the Confederate capital, authorities in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. When it was
Colonel David R. Washington became fixed upon the neces ready, he was to march south across
Jones. The hale and sity ofcapturing it. Take Richmond, they Malyland and push across the Potomac to
healtyJames felt, and the rebellion would wither. All take Harpers Feny and defeat or at least
Longstreet, though he that stood between them and that objective fully occupyJohnston's Confederates.
hailed from South were Beauregard at Bull Run andJohnston Meanwhile, a substantially larger army took
Carolina, received command in the Shenandoah. shape in Washington. Once more compa
ofa brigade ofVirginians. The From all across the Union came the nies became regiments, and regiments General Daniel Tyler, 62, a longtime veter WASHINGTON, D.C.'s
s. two armies combined totaled close to regiments filled with fresh-faced young became brigades. Taking organization a an. The second division went to Brigadier PREWAR POPULATION OF
RICHARD EWELL
60,000 RAPIDLY GREW
(LC) 35,000 men, with the Manassas Gap men anxious to see some adventure and step fUlther than the Confederacy to pro General David Hunter, a man ofSouthern AS NEW RECRUITS
•••••••••- Railroad connecting them. Ifeither was avenge the insult to the Stars and Stripes. vide a more efficient chain ofcommand, heritage who stayed loyal to the flag. BEGAN TO ARRIVE IN
THE CITY IN APRIL
attacked, the other could use the line to Within weeks ofthe outbreak ofwar, these Yankees combined two or more Samuel P. Heintzelman received command
1861. As SPACE IN
come in aid. If both were attacked simulta \Vashington itself became an armed camp, brigades to form army divisions. ofthe third division, in spite ofthe WHICH TO HOUSE THE
MEN BECAME A PROB
neously, however, the railroad would be of even its public buildings swelling with uni The first division went to Brigadier bemused or befuddled expression that
LEM, SOME WERE
no use to them. formed men and the White House grounds seemed always on his face, and because QUARTERED IN THE
CAPITOL WHOSE DOME
That was essentially what Washington themselves hosting soldiers. The popula of his excellent combat record in Mexico.
WAS STILL UNDER
wanted to do. Winfield Scott sat heavily in tion ofthe city almost doubled as the Theodore Runyon led the fOUlth division, CONSTRUCTION.
his swivel chair at the War Department, streets teemed with the sounds offifes, made up of untrained men who would not (LC)
more than seventy years old, too fat and drums, and marching feet. Scenes from be used in the campaign, and Dixon S.
infirm even to mount a horse. Yet he was south ofthe Potomac were repeated here Miles, a notorious inebriate, commanded
still a magnificent soldier, and Abraham and elsewhere as the officers went about the fifth division.
the often grueling work ofturning rustics To lead the brigades commanded by
into soldiers overnight. these men, Washington commissioned a
While his burgeoning army drilled, mixed bag ofcharacters, some already well
Scott and his advisers studied their maps known, others destined for fame: William
and addressed the challenge before them. B. Franklin, Orlando B. Willcox, Ambrose
They saw the Manassas Gap Railroad. They Burnside, William T. Sherman, Andrew
saw the potential use ofthe Shenandoah PoneI', Erasmus Keyes, and more. But the
Valley as an avenue ofinvasion and a back real attention went to the selection ofa
door to Richmond. They saw the defenses commander for this army as a whole. Scott
going up along Bull Run and in advance of himselfcould not lead it, ofcourse. And
the stream. Quickly Scott knew that he, the olth did not, as yet, have any estab
too, must form two armies, and that they lished military hero like Beauregard to turn
JUBAL A. EARLY must move in unison, with overwhelming DANIEL TYLER to. Scott preferred old veteranJoseph K.
(LC) strength, to press the Rebels and not allow (LC) Mansfield, but once more polities inter-
7
PICNIC BASKETS AND PARASOLS
9:
ike many battles, First and through the wavering mists York CongressmanAlfred Ely.
the Treasury Salmon Chase ofOhio.
Manassas left in its wake oflight blue smoke, and the He had come to see for himself
Incredibly, their pressure resulted in civilians whose lives were thicker masses which rose com how the Thitteenth New York
McDowell being made a brigadier general affected by the conflict. Present mingling from the feet ofmen Volunteer Infantry, made up
on that day was a small assem and the mouths ofcannon, I primarily from his district, were
with the same seniority as Mansfield. When
blage ofsightseers who had could see the gleam ofanns faring. He remained with the
Scott was told to select a commander for hoped to view the battle as and the twinkling ofbayonets. group at Centreville a shott
one would a spectatorspott. "On the hill beside me time and then, growing bored
the Army of Nottheastern Virginia being
What was actually observed,
formed in Washington, he had to choose however, would forever
between the two, and having other work change these casual attitudes
toward war.
in mind for Mansfield, he had no choice
This group ofcuriosity
but to give the plum to McDowell. Thus, seekers that had come out from
Washington City was composed
through politics, a man with no practical
ofcivilians, repotters, and
experience at all became the hope ofthe
politicians. They came with the
ILLUSTRATION FROM vened. An obscure major on staff duty in Union's major army. beliefthat there existed no per
sonal danger due to the rout
HARPER'S WEEKLY the adjutant general's office, a man who Immediately upon assuming com
that would occur when the
SHOWS UNION TROOPS LISTENING FOR THE
PREPARING FOR BATTLE. had never led so much as a company in mand, McDowell found himselfcalled on to Confederates caught mere sight FIRST GUNS AT
action, had powerful friends. produce a plan ofaction. Vainly he begged ofthe Union army. MANASSAS.
The majority ofthe
Irvin McDowell came from Ohio, for time. He and his army were "green," he (BL)
group reached only as far as
was only 42, and had spent most of his pleaded, inexperienced. So they were, CetW'eville, five miJes to the
east ofManassasJunction. Here there was a crowd ofcivilians with such observation, ven
army career on staffduty. He was well agreed Scott and Lincoln, but so too were
they picnicked while listening on horseback, and in all SOltS tured even closer to the battle.
liked but somewhat enigmatic. Men the enemy. They must move, and quickly. to the thunder ofthe distant ofvehicles, widl a few ofthe East ofthe Stone Bridge he
found him humorless, distant, reticent. Late in May, McDowell rode across the battle and watching the smoke fairer ifnot gentlersex. Afew was discovered by me Eighth
rise above the trees. One of officers and some soldiers, who South Carolina and barely
He was a teetotaler, but otherwise a Potomac and established his headquatters
these bystanders was a British had struggled from the regi missed being shot by Colonel
glutton who could finish evety dish on in and around Arlington, until recently the reporter, William Howard ments in reserve, moved about E. B. C. Cash, who, pOinting
Russell. He describes the audi among the spectators and pre his pistol at Ely's head, shouted,
a table and follow it with an entire home ofRobett E. Lee. At once he began
ence and the scene before tended to explain the move "God damn your white livered
watermelon. Many thought him haughty formulating his plan ofcampaign, though them in his diary: ments ofthe troops below, of soul! I'll blow your brains out
and unpleasant. But the governor of what had to be done was obvious enough. "Clouds ofdust shifted which dley were profoundly on the spot!" Ely was spared by
and moved through the forest; ignorant." the intervention ofthe soldiers
Ohio pushed him on Lincoln for a major Patterson must move against Harpers Feny
After many hours present, captured as a prisoner
command, and so did Secretary of and the Shenandoah to containJohnston, offighting the Union of war, and sent to prison in
army was finally forced Richmond, serving five months
while McDowell would move along the line
to retreat. Another before he was released. In his
ofthe Orange &Alexandria. He would take reporter, Henry Villard, journal, kept during his incar
ManassasJunction with an army of35,000 was among the sol ceration, Ely contemplates the
diers that began an folly ofpursuing those activities
men and, he hoped, without a fight.
orderly retreat, yet, as that lead up to his capture:
McDowell knew that Beauregard had fotti is written in his mem "Among other things, I
oirs, were "reduced to found that to visit battle-fields
fied the ManassasJunction and Bull Run
me condition ofa mot as a mere pastime, or with the
fords and that it would be costly to force ley, panic-stricken view ofgratifying a panting
crossings there. Though he refined and mob. ... The morale curiosity, or for the sake oflis
ofthe army was gone, tening to the roar ofshotted
evolved his plans as the campaign pro
and dle instinctofself attillety, and the shrill music of
gressed, McDowell would eventually decide presetvation alone ani flying shells, (which motives,
mated the flying mass." however were not exacdy
to march toward Bull Run, occupy Confed
One ofthe spec mine,) is neither a safe thing in
erate attention with feint moves against the
tators that would learn itself, nor a justifiable use of
fords, and meanwhile move a large column the hard way that war the passion which Americans
was not an entettain- are said to possess for public
IRVIN McDOWELL across the stream some distance upriver at CONGRESSMAN ALFRED ELY
ing event was New spectacle."
(LC) an unguarded ford. Then his column could
9 10
move down the south bank ofBull Run, lobbies and taverns. As a result, even
striking the Confederates on their exposed before McDowell's men put out their
flank, and viltually forcing them to fall campfires and marched south onJuly 16,
back from the other fords and the word had already reached Beauregard of
Warrenton Turnpike bridge to avoid being their coming and their intentions.
ovelwhelmed. Once the balance of his Early that morning the Yankee sol
army was safely across Bull Run, then he diers arose, expectant, excited, determined
could move on Manassas and overwhelm that the march begun that day would take
Beauregard's 22,000 or so Confederates. He them "on to Richmond" before the summer
would march on the morning ofJuly 16. expired. Yet delay dogged them from the
Nothing in war goes as planned, and start. Supposed to move in the morning,
especially when so many are so inexperi they did not get under way until two in
enced. McDowell suffered under many the afternoon. Their bands played maltial UNION SOLDIERS AT
CENTREVILLE,
handicaps, not least his own limitations as airs, including "Dixie," which at this stage
VIRGINIA, LOCATED
a commander. Then there was the com was still popular on both sides, and "John ABOUT FIVE MILES
plete lack ofadequate maps ofthe coun Brown's Body." The afternoon proved hot FROM MANASSAS.
(LC)
tlyside, even though Manassas lay scarcely and humid, as all ofthe days ahead would
30 miles from Washington. Neither did he be in the northern Virginia summer. Men miles that day. They did better on the mor roads to Bull Run," Tyler pushed fOlward
have any substantial cavahy to send out in stalted breaking ranks at every source of row, though, and by nightfall ofJuly 17 on the road that led to Blackburn's Ford.
advance to reconnoiter the ground. As a water, despite their officers' orders. No portions ofthe Yankee army had reached The ground destined to become the
result, he would be moving largely in the blackbeny bush could be passed without and taken Fairfax COUlt House. Still, Bull Run battlefield ran more than eight
dark as to the countryside ahead ofhim, men stopping to strip it while their com McDowell knew that his movements were miles along the stream, from nOlthwest to
dependent on local civilians who might or rades marched on. Quickly the generals well observed by the enemy now. There southeast, commencing at Sudley Ford
ADVANCE OF THE might not give him accurate information. saw just how "green" this army in fact was no chance to surprise Beauregard, and nearly seven miles west ofCentreville.
FEDERAL ARMY AS
SUDLEY SPRINGS FORD
THE BATTLE OF Equally bad, Washington was filled with was. Some would conclude that it was he expected that he would probably Thereafter came in downstream succession
AND THE SUDLEY
BULL RUN OPENS. Southern sympathizers who observed little more than a well-intentioned orga encounter stiff resistance at Centreville, a the stone bridge over the Warrenton METHODIST CHURCH
(ILLUSTRATION FROM THE every movement ofthe army and assidu nized mob. few miles north ofBull Run. Thus he Turnpike, Lewis' Ford, Ball's Ford, ON THE HILLTOP.
SOLDIER IN OURCIVIL WAR)
(LC)
ously collected military gossip in the hotel As a result they covered only a few ordered Tyler's division to attack that place Mitchell's Ford, Blackburn's Ford, McLean's
early onJuly 18 before Beauregard could
consolidate a defense, but when Tyler
arrived expecting a fight, he discovered
that the Rebels had pulled back.
Beauregard, heavily outnumbered, had
pulled all ofhis army back to the south
side ofBull Run. He would make his stand
there and hope that he could stop the
Yankees' advance. Tyler was elated. The
Federals had taken the first feared obstacle
without a skirmish. The enemy was
retreating in their front. At this rate, they
might just push on to Richmond and all be
heroes. Since McDowell had given Tyler
orders to push fOlward to "obselve well the
11 12
THEBAT/IE OF
BJACKB[R,\5 ~
FORD..fln' 18.
at
1861 LT. PETER HAINS FIRED
BrigadierGeneral THE BATTLE'S OPENING
Sherman
Daniel Tylerorders SHOT WITH A 30-PDR.
ColonelIsraelB. ~ PARROTT RIFLE, AFFEC
Richardson'sbrigade TYLER TIONATELY REFERRED
TO BY HIS MEN AS
topmbe the Confed
"LONG TOM."
erateposition along
BullRun. As ~ (HARPER'S WEEKLY)
Richardson's men Ayres
appmach Black Blackburn's Ford he could move straight ing as Tyler issued his withdrawal order,
burn'sFord they -
I on ManassasJunction and seize it, accom and then another went in to SUppOIt it,
come undel'./ire
I plishing one ofthe main objectives ofthe and the battle continued to develop in
fmm C01~lederates
concealedalong the campaign, seemingly without meeting spite ofTyler's desire to pull out. Worse,
wooded bank. With
G•rigsby resistance. Despite McDowell's orders to the Yankees were getting the worst ofit.
the Confederatefire
do nothing more than reconnoiter-and Across Bull Run, Beauregard had
gmwing more
intenseand realiz under no circumstances to bring on an expected the Federals might tty a crossing
ing hehasgotten
engagement-Tyler ordered the brigade of at Blackburn's Ford. Longstreet had been
more than he bar
Colon IIsrael Richardson to come forward
gainedfor, Tyler
orders his men to at once. A briefartillery duel ensued, and
withdraw. General
then Tyler sent forward his first regiment,
.famesLongstreet
driving toward the ford.
sendspartqlhis
brigadeacmssBull For the next hour that regiment
Run topursue the
engaged with Confederate artillery and
l'etreatingFederal
resistance from sharpshooters, in spite of
soldiers. Thepursuit
coversa shortdis Tyler's beliefthat he faced few foemen in
tance before the
his front. Then he sent in the rest of
C01~lederatesare
Richardson's brigade, and soon the Yankee
recalled backacmss
thestream. line swept down the sloping ground
N
McLean's toward the bank ofBull Run. What they
~ Ford
met was stiffresistance, some ofit from
unseen Rebels posted on the north side of
BEAUREGARD'S
HQ the stream, and in the end Tyler's artillery
0 2,000 was forced back with some losses, soon to
I""'l
Feet be followed by the infantry. ow Tyler
(jeorgeSl;pcfi
decided that his idea ofeasily crossing and
Ford, and at the end ofthe line the rail who now awaited the coming ofTyler. pushing on to Manassas was out ofthe ready. He carefully concealed his regi
THROUGHOUTTHE
road bridge ofthe Orange & Alexandria The Yankee general rode forward toward question. He had reconnoitered, found the ments in the woods and brush and that BATTLE, MEN OF BOTH
SIDES SOUGHT SHELTER
line. Beauregard had scattered his brigades Blackburn's, and thanks to the heavy enemy in sufficient strength to know that morning allowed the men a leisurely
IN AND AROUND THE
out along these crossings from Stone woods and underbrush on the south side McDowell could not cross easily here, and breakfast despite suspecting that they STRONG WALLS OF THE
STONE HOUSE, AN AREA
Bridge to the last ford, ignoring Sudley for ofBull Run, he could not detect any had nothing more to do. Unfortunately, it might be fighting before long. Men said
LANDMARK 51NCE THE
the time being. Blackburn's Ford stood appreciable number ofConfederates. proved not to be so easy to pull men out the Lord's Prayer over and over again, 18205.
almost in the center ofthe line, and there Immediately Tyler thought he saw an of battle as to send them in. One of threw away their dice and playing cards, (Le)
he tationed Longstreet and his Virginians, opportunity. If he rushed across Richardson's regiments was already clurg- repented their sins, and otherwise tried to
13 1f
"MY VERY DEAR WIFE" maintain d1.is government, and wind, and bears me irresistably mey loved, Ishall always be
to pay that debt. on widl all those chains, to me near you in me garish day, and
But, my dear wife, when batdefield. The memories ofall me darkest nightamidst your
~ ullivan Ballou was a Supposing mey had dis not return to dlei.r families over
Iknow, dlat widl my own joys, me blissful moments I have happiestscenes and gloon1.iest
successful, 32-yearold interred dle body ofColonel dle next four years, leaving
Ilaydown nearly all ofyours, spent widl you come crowding hours always, always, and, if
attorney in Providence, Rhode Jolm Slocum, conmlanding dle behinda Sarah, ora Willie and
and replace them in this life over me, and Ifeel mostdeeply mc soft breeze fans your cheek,
Island, when Abraham Lincoln Rhode Islanders during dle bat Edgar who would "never know
widl care and sorrows,when, grateful to God and you, that I itshall be my brealh; or me
called for volunteers in the tle, dle Confederates desecrated a fadler's love and care." Very
after havingeatenfor long have enjoyed them so long. cool air cools your throbbing
wake ofFolt Sumter. the body and dumped it in a few, however, had the foresight
years the bitter fruit oforphan And how hard it is for me to temples, itshall be my spirit
Responding to his nation's call, ravine in dle vicinity ofme or the eloquence to leave
Something age myself, Imust offer it, as give them IIp, and burn to passing by.
the former Speakerofdle SudleyMedlodist Church. behind a legacy as touching as
whispers to me, Rhode Island House of Immediately following the Sullivan Ballou's to his grief meironly sustenance, to my ashes me hopes offuture years, Sarah, do not mourn me
dear little children, is it weak or when, God willing, we n1.ight dear; mink Iam gone, and
perhaps it is Representatives enlisted in dle Confederate evacuation from stricken family.
dishonorable, while me banner still have lived and loved wait for me, for we shall
Second Rhode Island InfantIy, the Manassas area in March
the lL'{,!!ted ofmy purpose floats calmly togemer, and seen our boys meet again.
where he was elected major. By 1862, a contingent ofRhode
prayerqlmy mid-July, the swirling events in Island officials, including Headqualters, Camp Clark and proudly in dle breeze, dlat grow up to honorable man As for my
my unbounded love for you, hood around us. little boys, fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii;;;;;jil
the sunmlerof1861 had Governor William Sprague, vis Wasl1.ington, D.C.,July 14,1861
littleBdg{'ll~ my darling wife and children, Iknow I have but few they will grow
broughtBallou and his unit to a ited the Bull Run battlefield to
that1shall camp ofinstruction in the exhume their fallen sons and My VelY DearWife: should stI'uggle in fierce, claims upon Divine Providence, as I have
though useless, contest widl butsomethingwhispers to me, done, and
return to my F deral capital. With the move return dlem to their native soil. Indications are velY
my love ofcountry. perhaps it is the wafted prayer never know a
ment ofme Fed ral forces into Led to the defiled body, the StI'ong that we shall move in a
loved ones I cannotdescribe to you of my Iitde Edgar, dlat Ishall famer's love
Virginia inmtinent, Sullivan palty examined the remains few days, perhaps to-morrow.
unharmed. rl1 Ballou penned this letter to his and a tattered remnant ofuni LestI should not be able to my feelings on mis calm sum return to my loved ones and care.
mer rught, when two dlousand unharmed. IfI do not, my Little Willie is
wife. His concern that he form insignia and discovered write you again, Ifeel impelled
do not, my men are sleeping around me, dearSarah, never forget how too young to
"should fall on the battle-field" that the Confederates had mis to write a few lines, mat may
dear Sarab, proved all too tI1Je. One week takenly uncovered the body of fall under your eye when Ishall many ofdlem enjoying dle last, much I love you, nor dlat, remember me
perhaps, before dlat ofdeadl, when my last breadl escapes long, and my
Izeuerfoiget after composing his missive, as MajorSullivan Ballou, not his be no more.
and I, suspicious dlat Deadl is me on the battle-field, it will blue-eyed
dle war's first major battle commanding officer. The Our movement may be
how much 1 creeping bell.ind me widl his whisper your name. Edgar will
began in earneston me plains remains ofhis body were tI'ans one ofa few days duration and
fatal datt, am communing widl Forgive my many faults, keep my frol
loveyOll, nor ofManassas, Ballou was struck ported back to Rhode Island, full ofpleasure and it may be
God, my countI·y and thee. and the many pains I have ics with him
and killed as dle Rhode where they were laid to rest in one ofsevere conflictand death
that, when my I have sought most close caused you. How moughdess, among the
Islanders advanced from Providence's Swan Point to me. Not my will, butthine,
last breath Matthews Hill. CemetelY· o God be done. Ifit is neces lyand diligently, and often in how foolish I have oftentimes dimmest
my breast, for a wrong motive been! Howgladly would Iwash memories of
escapes me Regrettably, the story of Ofthe tens ofdl0usands salY dlat Ishould fall on the
011 in dlis hazarding me happiness out with my tears, evelYIitde his childhood.
Sullivan Ballou does not end ofletters written in the days battle-field for my cOUntIY, Iam
the battle-:!ield, ofmose I loved, and Icould spot upon your happiness, and Sarah, I have
wim a hero's deam on dle field leading up to dle First Battle of ready. I have no misgivings
not find one. Apure love ofmy struggle wim all me misfoltune unlimited con
it willzL'hi:,per .ofbattle and a piercing letterto Manassas, celtainly none is about, or lack ofconfidence in,
countIy, and ofme principles I ofdlis world, to shield you and fidence in
a young widow. During me more famous dlan me last letter the cause in which Iam
your name.
have often advocated before my children from harm. ButI your maternal
weeks and months that fol ofMajorSullivan Ballou. As engaged, and my courage does
the people, and "the name of cannot. I must watch you from care, and your developmentof
lowed dle battle, Confederate poignant as it is prescient, not halt or falter. I know how SULLIVAN BALLOU
honor, mat Ilove more than I the spirit land and hover near their characters. Tell my tvvo
forces occupying dle area ofdle Ballou's epistle captures not stronglyAmerican civilization (ENGRAVING BYJ.A.
fear death," have called upon you, while you bufD t dle mothers, Icall God's blessing
batdefield desecrated the graves only the spirit ofpatriotic right now leans upon the tI'iumph of O'NEILL, COURTESY
me, and I have obeyed. storms wim your precious litde upon them. 0 Sarah, I wait for RHODE ISLAND
ofmanyfallen Federals. As a eousness that led many men to government, and how great a
HISTORICAL SOCIETY)
Sarah, my love for you is freight, and wait wim sad you dlere! Come to me, and
means ofeA'tracting a revenge the enliStI1lent office, but it also debt we owe to dl0se who
deadlless. Itseems to bind me patience till we meet to palt no lead mither my children.
ofSOltSagainst dle Union regi drives home me stark reality went before us through the
with n1.ighty cables, mat noming more.
ment at whose hand mey had dlat casualties ofwar were not blood and suffering ofme
but Omrtipotence can break; But, 0 Sarah, ifme dead - Sullivan
suffered, a Georgia regiment confined to the batdefield. Revolution, and Iam willing,
and yet, my love ofcountIy can come back to dlis ealth,
soughtretI'ibution againstdle There were hundreds ofdlOU perfecdy willing to lay down all
comes over me like a stI'Ong and flit unseen around dlose
Second Rhode Island. sands ofsoldiers who would my joys in this life to help
square themselves with the Maker in case along its rear, sword drawn, whacking it little more than a skirmish by later stan repulsed. Beauregard knew better, of
they should fall in the fight. When Tyler's on the backs ofmen thinking offleeing. dards, but it put resolve and courage into course, but he could also be thankful that
advance patties first appeared and com His example helped steady them before the Confederates who had stood their McDowell's advance had been held up a
menced their anillety fire, inexperienced the next two infantly assaults came at ground. Richardson's 3,000 were repulsed day. It was a day that could prove crucial,
soldiers initially thought the sound ofcan them. Jubal Early in resetve sent reinforce by the 5,000 or more under the combined for with the whole Union army on the
non balls flying overhead was the sound of ments, and together they held their command ofLongstreet and Early, and verge ofwetting its feet in the waters of
horses whinnying. They soon learned oth ground, driVing offthe last ofTyler's from that the entire Confederate line took Bull Run, he needed to buy time in the
erwise, however, and initially Longstreet's Yankees. heatt. Indeed, some thought this was the hope thatJohnston could come from the
line wavered until he personally rode It had not been much of a "battle," battle, and the war was over, the Yankees Shenandoah.
16
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