Attack at Deep Cut Marker

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Groveton in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Attack at Deep Cut
Second Battle of Manassas
— Day Three - August 30, 1862 - 3 p.m. —

Attack at Deep Cut Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, August 4, 2012

1. Attack at Deep Cut Marker

Inscription. Full-throated cheers greeted the order to attack. More than 6,000 Union soldiers under General Fitz John Porter poured across the road into the fields of Lucinda Dogan's farm. As the blue-clad lines traversed the open ground, a massive concentration of Confederate artillery, posted on the neighboring Brawner Farm, unleashed a torrent of shot and shell. The bombardment shattered their formations and thinned the ranks. Still, the Federals pressed on and ascended the far ridge.

The attack culminated near the "Deep Cut" - the deepest portion of the unfinished railroad bed. Opposing troops, separated only by the width of the protective embankment, held their muskets horizontally above their heads and fired blindly. Many soldiers resorted to throwing rocks. Unable to endure the barrage from the front and flank, and with dwindling hope of reinforcement, the decimated Union regiments retreated. In less than an hour, the largest Federal attack of Second Manassas had failed.

The whole field was covered with a confused mass of struggling, running, routed Yankees.
-Colonel Bradley T. Johnson, CSA

Erected by Manassas National Battlefield Park - National Park Service - Department of the Interior.

Location. 38° 49.23′

By Craig Swain, August 4, 2012

2. Attack at Deep Cut Marker

N, 77° 32.984′ W. Marker is in Groveton, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is on Featherbed Lane (County Route 622), on the right when traveling south. Click for map. Located next to the Deep Cut tour stop parking lot on Manassas National Battlefield Park. Marker is in this post office area: Manassas VA 20109, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Wisconsin Company (about 500 feet away, in a direct line); On the Skirmish Line (about 500 feet away); 20th New York State Militia (approx. 0.2 miles away); 15th Alabama Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fourth Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); 24th New York Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Rock Fight (approx. 0.2 miles away).

Also see . . . Deep Cut. Older marker, replaced by this one, which was located a short distance down the trail from the parking lot. (Submitted on August 27, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Federal Advance to the Deep Cut Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, August 4, 2012

3. Federal Advance to the Deep Cut

Looking across the recently cleared fields from the high ground next to the deep cut.

Credits. This page originally submitted on August 27, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 87 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 27, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.