Manassas National Battlefield Park

WED July 29

Today I visited Manassas where “The first major battle of the Civil War took place … on July 21, 1861. Inexperienced soldiers on both sides expected a quick victory, trusting courage more than drill and experience to make it possible. The fierce fighting of the First Battle of Manassas shattered their illusions and influenced the course of the long struggle ahead.” Both sides were sure of a short war, in fact the Union forces were mostly men called up as volunteers for only 90 days.

Another interesting thing about Manassas “Wilmer McLean could say the Civil War began and ended in his home. On July 18, 1891 Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard established his headquarters at McLean’s home… Seeking refuge from the war McLean left Manassas and resettled his family at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. On April 9, 1865 …” Lee surrendered to Grant in McLean’s house at Appomattox.

And another thing; when I went to my first job in the Navy as Disbursing Officer on the USS Mountrail (APA-213) in Norfolk I relieved LTjg James Ricketts and the name of a commander of a battery of artillery at Manassas was Capt. James B. Ricketts, Company I, 1st US Artillery.

Anyway, another well presented page of our history and I did my usual introductory video and Ranger guided walking tour.

First Manassas was where General Thomas J. Jackson got his nickname of “Stonewall”.

First Manassas was a victory for the Confederates because they were outnumbered but fought the Union army to a draw and then the Union army withdrew.

Second Manassas was fought 13-months later with 3,300 men killed and is considered the height of Confederate power but the North with greater resources would ultimately persevere.