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

Retreat from Chinn Ridge

First Battle of Manassas

— July 21, 1861 4:30 p.m. —

Retreat from Chinn Ridge Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, April 30, 2016

1. Retreat from Chinn Ridge Marker

Inscription. Colonel Oliver O. Howard's brigade brought up the rear of the Federal flanking column. After crossing Bull Run, the New Englanders hastened towards the sounds of battle. In the mid-afternoon heat, dozens of men straggled on the march or collapsed by the roadside. By the time they reached the front, Union hopes for victory were fading.

Intending to outflank the enemy, Howard's regiments ascended to the top of this rise. Suddenly the air exploded with shell fragments. Confederate artillery opened a flanking fire from the Chinn House yard. Masses of Rebel infantry charged out of the woods below. Howard's men managed a few ragged volleys before the parade-style battle lines began to break. The retreat gathered momentum and soon the Union army was in full flight.

Caption:
The struggle for Chinn Ridge, depicting the Henry House in the distance. Painting by Captain James Hope, 2nd Vermont Infantry. Artwork courtesy of Howard Coffin.

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

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

Location. 38° 48.792′ N, 77° 31.812′ W. Marker is near Bull Run,

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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 south. Marker is located along the Chinn Ridge Trail (Driving Tour Stop 10) 0.5 miles north of the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6511 Sudley Rd, 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. A different marker also named Retreat from Chinn Ridge (here, next to this marker); Colonel Fletcher Webster (approx. ¼ mile away); Death of Fletcher Webster (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Death of Fletcher Webster (approx. ¼ mile away); Texas (approx. ¼ mile away); Third Brigade (approx. ¼ mile away); Defending the Cannon (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Defending the Cannon (approx. 0.3 miles away).

More about this marker. This marker replaced an old marker at this location titled, "Retreat from Chinn Ridge"

Also see . . .
1. Manassas National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on May 13, 2016.)

2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled “Retreat from Chinn Ridge” (Submitted on May 13, 2016.)

Another View of Chinn Ridge from the "Retreat from Chinn Ridge" Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, April 30, 2016

2. Another View of Chinn Ridge from the "Retreat from Chinn Ridge" Marker.

Chinn Ridge Trail with the "Retreat from Chinn Ridge" Marker in the Distance. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, April 30, 2016

3. Chinn Ridge Trail with the "Retreat from Chinn Ridge" Marker in the Distance.

View of Chinn Ridge from the "Retreat from Chinn Ridge" Marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, April 30, 2016

4. View of Chinn Ridge from the "Retreat from Chinn Ridge" Marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2016, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 468 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 13, 2016, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.