SECOND MANASSAS

  AUGUST 28-30 1862

 

PRELUDE

 

 

THE COMMANDERS

Major General John Pope [US]

General Robert E. Lee and Major General Thomas J. Jackson [CS]

 

 

 

 Pope

 Lee

 Jackson

 1822-92

 1807-70

 1824-63

 

FIRST DAY

In order to draw Pope’s army into battle, Jackson ordered an attack on a Federal column that was passing across his front on the Warrenton Turnpike on August 28. The fighting at Brawner Farm lasted several hours and resulted in a stalemate.  Pope became convinced that he had trapped Jackson and concentrated the bulk of his army against him.

SECOND DAY

 

On August 29, Pope launched a series of assaults against Jackson’s position along an unfinished railroad grade. The attacks were repulsed with heavy casualties on both sides. At noon, Longstreet arrived on the field from Thoroughfare Gap and took position on Jackson’s right flank. 

THIRD DAY

 

On August 30, Pope renewed his attacks, seemingly unaware that Longstreet was on the field. When massed Confederate artillery devastated a Union assault by Fitz John Porter’s command, Longstreet’s wing of 28,000 men counterattacked in the largest, simultaneous mass assault of the war. The Union left flank was crushed and the army driven back to Bull Run. Only an effective Union rearguard action prevented a replay of the First Manassas disaster. Pope’s retreat to Centreville was precipitous, nonetheless.  The next day, Lee ordered his army in pursuit. This was the decisive battle of the Northern Virginia Campaign.

 

AFTERMATH

RESULT

CONFEDERATE VICTORY

 

CASUALTIES

UNION

TROOPS..............................63000

KILLED.................................1747

WOUNDED...........................8452

CAPTURED OR MISSING...4263

CONFEDERACY

TROOPS..............................54000

KILLED..................................1553

WOUNDED............................7812

CAPTURED OR MISSING.......109

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SECOND MANASSAS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION