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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Near Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic) |
Vision of Victory
— Second Battle of Manassas - Day Two - August 29, 1862 —
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By Craig Swain, May 4, 2008 | |
| | | 1. Vision of Victory Marker | | |
Inscription. As Pope saw it, the battle was almost won. Stonewall Jackson was the only foe he faced here, and Jackson was retreating after the fight at Brawner Farm. Now the Federals could crush the outnumbered Rebels.
Tactical realities were a bit different. Instead of "retreating," Jackson's troops had taken position along the ditches and high embankments of the Unfinished Railroad. By noon on the 29th, Maj. Gen. James Longstreet and 28,000 men - the rest of the Confederate Army - had marched from Thoroughfare Gap to within two miles of Pope's headquarters. Pope, however, seemed to ignore all evidence that did not fit his vision of total victory.
During the next thirty-six hours Pope's overconfidence almost destroyed the Union Army.
Location. 38° 49.476′ N, 77° 31.936′ W. Marker is near Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Sudley Road (State Road 234) half a mile north of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling north. Click for map. Located in the Manassas National Battlefield Park, along the Matthews Hill trail. 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. Matthews Hill (here, next to this marker); Rhode Island Battery (within shouting distance of this marker); Blocking the Union Advance (about 600 feet away, in a direct line); 2nd Rhode Island Infantry (about 700 feet away); 4th Alabama Infantry (about 700 feet away); First Contact (approx. 0.2 miles away); U.S. Infantry Battalion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Federal Artillery Positions (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Manassas.| | | | 
By Craig Swain, May 4, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Battle Map | | Note the north seeking arrow points to the right of the map. | | |
More about this marker. On the far left is a portrait of Maj. Gen. John Pope, commander of the Union Army. Certain he had the Confederate cornered, Pope boasted on August 28, "We shall bag the whole crowd."
On the upper right is a drawing of The View from Headquarters
Throughout the 29th, thousands of Union troops used these fields as staging areas for assaults on Jackson's line (marked by the tallest trees a half-mile west). The ridge to your left and low hills in front were Union artillery positions.
The caption references a battle map on the lower right.
Also see . . . Second Manassas. General Pope's account of the battle. (Submitted on June 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
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By Craig Swain | |
| | | 3. Matthews Hill Markers | | On the left is the Matthews Hill marker. On the right is the Vision of Victory marker. The white panel beyond the markers is a temporary informational sign detailing a project to restore historic woodlines. | | |
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By Craig Swain, May 4, 2008 | |
| | | 4. View from Pope's Headquarters | | Looking northwest across Sudley Road. The Confederate line was anchored on an unfinished railroad bed running in the far distance. As mentioned on the marker, the line is among the larger trees about a half mile distant. Landscape restoration projects at the battlefield should restore the ground to 1862 tree lines. Thus offering a more "historic" view. | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on June 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 547 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on June 16, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
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