Deep Cut Marker

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

Deep Cut
Porter's Attack
— Second Battle of Manassas - Day Three - August 30, 1862 —

Deep Cut Marker Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, February 15, 2009

1. Deep Cut Marker

Inscription. Before the attack, soldiers massed in the woods behind the present day road - 10,000 men under Maj. Gen. Fitz John Porter. This would be the major Union attack of Second Manassas. At 3 p.m., a lieutenant in Berdan's Sharpshooters addressed his troops:
"Now, men, if there are any here who think they are going to have an easy time on this skirmish, change your tune now."

Location. 38° 49.151′ N, 77° 32.959′ W. Marker is near Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is on Featherbed Lane (County Route 622), on the right when traveling south. Click for map. Located on the Deep Cut Trail, along the old railroad bed, in Manassas National Military 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 600 feet away, in a direct line); 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fourth Brigade (approx. 0.3 miles away); 15th Alabama Infantry (approx. 0.3 miles away); 24th New York Infantry (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Rock Fight (approx. 0.3 miles away); 20th New York State Militia (approx. 0.3 miles away); Second Bull Run Monument (approx. 0.3 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Manassas.

More about this marker.

Map of the Federal Assault Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, February 15, 2009

2. Map of the Federal Assault

In the lower left is a map showing the route of Porter's attack. The trail follows in the footsteps of Porter's attacking Federals. As they broke into a charge, continuous sheets of musket fire poured down from the ridge. A few regiments got as far as the embankment; no reinforcements could reach them. From the left, Confederate artillery had begun to rake the field with terrifying precision. Troop location markers along the trail carry survivors' descriptions of the assault.

On the right is a painting depicting this phase of the battle. When the order came, Porter's troops left the protection of the woods and climbed the rail fence. Their objective: the "Deep Cut," where Confederate riflemen stood shoulder to shoulder behind the unfinished railroad grade. In parade formation, the bluecoats began walking up the exposed slope. Almost immediately, puffs of smoke perforated the straight battle lines.