“I have come to you from the West,where we have always seen the backs of our enemies….Dismiss from your minds certain phrases which I am sorry to find so much in vogue amongst you. I hear constantly of ‘taking strong positions and holding them,’ of ‘lines of retreat,’ and of ‘bases of supplies.’ Let us discard such ideas….Let us look before and not behind. Success and glory are in the advance.”
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Conflict Comes to Manassas...Again
The same small town in Northern Virginia whose surrounding fields bore witness to the first major battle of the war less than a year earlier found itself at the crossroads of history once again in late May, 1862. Beyond that ironic connection, much was different between the Battles of 1st and Second Manassas besides the dates. This time the Confederates were led by General Robert E. Lee while Union was led by the newly appointed Major General John Pope. John Pope was newly transferred from the Mississippi Theater where his successes had encouraged Lincoln to transfer him to the East. He had quickly alienated Union leadership with his brash and often derogatory bravado.
Roles were reversed as the Army of Northern Virginia moved northward as the aggressor against the Union forces. The size of the forces involved as well as the casualties dwarfed those of the 1st Battle of Manassas. In less than a year, the American Civil War had grown to a scale beyond the imagination of those who stood on the same fields but had yet to "see the elephant" at 1st Manassas.
Roles were reversed as the Army of Northern Virginia moved northward as the aggressor against the Union forces. The size of the forces involved as well as the casualties dwarfed those of the 1st Battle of Manassas. In less than a year, the American Civil War had grown to a scale beyond the imagination of those who stood on the same fields but had yet to "see the elephant" at 1st Manassas.
The Battles of Manassas by the Numbers
Following his success at driving General McClellan's Peninsula Campaign away from the front step of Richmond, Robert E. Lee reorganized the Army of Northern Virginia into what was probably its most famous configuration: Lee as commanding general; and two large corps led by Major General James Longstreet and Major General "Stonewall" Jackson". Lee followed similar strategy that worked during the Seven Days Battles - Seize the advantage over a slower and more disorganized foe by striking quickly and aggressively. His Northern Virginia Campaign was designed to threaten the Union capital in Washington just as McClellan had threatened Richmond. Stonewall Jackson's Corps reached Manassas Junction on May 27, burnt the Federal supply depot and set up a defensive position near the 1st Manassas Battlefield and awaited the newly created Army of Virginia led by General John Pope.
Assuming that the entire Army of Northern Virginia was in front of him, Pope ordered unsuccessful assaults on May 28th, 29th, and 30th. By the 30th Major General James Longstreet's Corps had arrived - completely unknown by Pope. Longstreet launched a massive assault into the Union flank that caught Pope completely by surprise. Second Manassas was an even bigger disaster for the Union than the First.
In a clear sign of the political shenanigans that often complicated by sides of the war, General McClellan - still commanding the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula - delayed withdraw and failed to report his forces under General Pope's command until after the battle was decided. In his letters written to his wife, McClellan explained that the delay was not an accident; it was a calculated move to force Lincoln to return control to McClellan.
And it worked.
Following the Union defeat at Second Manassas, Lincoln removed John Pope from Civil War command and transferred him to Indian patrol in the northwest. On September 2, 1862, Lincoln reluctantly placed McCLellan in command of all Union forces in the region. The newly reorganized Army of the Potomac under McClellan would be soon tested as General Lee would follow his success at Second Manassas by invading Maryland.
Assuming that the entire Army of Northern Virginia was in front of him, Pope ordered unsuccessful assaults on May 28th, 29th, and 30th. By the 30th Major General James Longstreet's Corps had arrived - completely unknown by Pope. Longstreet launched a massive assault into the Union flank that caught Pope completely by surprise. Second Manassas was an even bigger disaster for the Union than the First.
In a clear sign of the political shenanigans that often complicated by sides of the war, General McClellan - still commanding the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula - delayed withdraw and failed to report his forces under General Pope's command until after the battle was decided. In his letters written to his wife, McClellan explained that the delay was not an accident; it was a calculated move to force Lincoln to return control to McClellan.
And it worked.
Following the Union defeat at Second Manassas, Lincoln removed John Pope from Civil War command and transferred him to Indian patrol in the northwest. On September 2, 1862, Lincoln reluctantly placed McCLellan in command of all Union forces in the region. The newly reorganized Army of the Potomac under McClellan would be soon tested as General Lee would follow his success at Second Manassas by invading Maryland.
The Commanders
Union Commander John Pope (left) and Confederate General Robert E. Lee (right)
* * * Discussion Questions * * *
1. In what ways was the loss at 2nd Manassas a direct result of failures in the Union command structure?
2. After successfully defending Richmond, what motivation was behind Lee's foray to the North ?
2. After successfully defending Richmond, what motivation was behind Lee's foray to the North ?
Primary Sources
Downtown Manassas (left), fencing at the Manassas battlefield (middle), artistic interpretation of what happened at the 2nd Bull Run. (right)
Secondary Sources
Visiting Manassas soon? Or are you looking for something more like a virtual tour? Use one of the free sites linked below to explore the Manassas National Park.
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Recommended Readings
- “Battle of Second Manassas Facts & Summary.” American Battlefield Trust, 13 Aug. 2018, www.battlefields.org/learn/civil-war/battles/second-manassas.
- Editors, History.com. “Second Battle of Bull Run.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 5 Apr. 2011, www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/second-battle-of-bull-run.
- Adams, Simon. “Second Battle of Bull Run.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 Aug. 2018, www.britannica.com/event/Second-Battle-of-Bull-Run-1862.
- American Battlefield Trust, 7 July 2017, www.battlefields.org/learn/videos/second-manassas-battle-overview.