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Second
Manassas
Manassas, Virginia
August 28-30, 1862
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. 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.
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.
Result(s):
Confederate victory
Location: Fairfax
County and
Prince
Williams
County
Campaign: Northern Virginia Campaign (June - September
1862)
Date(s): August 28-30, 1862
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John Pope
[US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Jackson [CS]
Forces Engaged: Army of the Potomac
and the Army of Virginia [US]; Army of Northern
Virginia [CS]
Estimated Casualties: 22,180 total (US 13,830; CS 8,350)
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