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

Final Struggle

First Battle of Manassas

— July 21, 1861 3 - 4 p.m. —

Final Struggle Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

1. Final Struggle Marker

Inscription. Up the slope marched Federal troops, determined to retake the cannons lost moments earlier. The bodies of slain artillerists and infantrymen littered the landscape. The Yankees recaptured Griffin's two guns and attempted to drag the two pieces to safety, but dead horses encumbered their efforts. In the distance the Confederates were preparing another charge.

The heaviest combat of the battle, much of it hand-to-hand, raged around the disabled batteries of Captains Ricketts and Griffin. The fighting went back and forth — Confederates would overrun the Federal position and recapture the cannon then be driven off moments later by a headlong counterattack. The widow Henry's farm became the most contested ground of the battle.

Erected by Manassas National Battlefield Park, National Park Service, U.S Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1861.

Location. 38° 48.719′ N, 77° 31.298′ W. Marker is near Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Sudley Road (Virginia Route 234) half a mile south of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located behind the Visitor

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Center at the trailhead for the 1.1-mile Henry Hill trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Defeat and Disarray (here, next to this marker); Counterattack (here, next to this marker); Point Blank Volley (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Point-Blank Volley (about 300 feet away); Colonel Thomas (about 500 feet away); Henry Hill (about 500 feet away); Lieutenant William P. Mangum (about 500 feet away); General Barnard Elliott Bee (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

Also see . . .
1. Manassas National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on September 29, 2015.)

2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled “Counterattack” (Submitted on September 29, 2015.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2023

2. Final Struggle Marker

Final Struggle Marker and Defeat and Disarray Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Samuel Paik, September 18, 2017

3. Final Struggle Marker and Defeat and Disarray Marker

The Henry Hill Visitor Center and the western edge of the parking lot are in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 447 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 28, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 29, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on September 18, 2017, by Samuel Paik of Gainesville, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.