Near Nokesville in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battle of Kettle Run
Ewell's Flawless Retreat
| | Second Manassas Campaign | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
1. Battle of Kettle Run Marker
Learning of Jackson's raid, Union Gen. John Pope sent Gen. Joseph Hooker's division north from Warrenton Junction along the railroad. Marching on an extremely hot afternoon, Hooker's troops encountered Ewell's skirmish line south of the Kettle Run bridge at 2 p.m. As fighting intensified, Col. Henry Forno's brigade (60th Georgia and 6th and 8th Louisiana Infantry) withdrew across the bridge and burned it. They regrouped on the other side with formidable artillery support. Col. Joseph Carr's Union brigade stormed across the stream into a hail of lead and shot which, as one Federal soldier noted, "caused a very unpleasant sensation."
Ewell's division held firm, inflicting heavy casualties along the railroad until Col. Nelson Taylor's famed Excelsior Brigade advanced and gave the Federals superior numbers. About 4 p.m., Ewell commenced an orderly retreat across Broad Run. Fighting as it withdrew, Gen. Jubal A. Early's brigade disengaged last and crossed Broad Run about 6:00, burning the railroad
this page online
Erected 2008 by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 38° 42.962′ N, 77° 33.666′ W. Marker was near Nokesville, Virginia, in Prince William County. It was at the intersection of Nokesville Road (State Highway 28) and Aden Road (County Route 646), on the right when traveling north on Nokesville Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Nokesville VA 20181, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this location, measured as the crow flies: Missed Opportunity (approx. 0.6 miles away); Aden Road Bridge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Preparing for Battle (approx. one mile away); Confederates in Bristoe
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
2. Battle of Kettle Run Map
Nearby Bristoe Station Battlefield park is the site of an 1863 battle in this highly contested portion of Virginia.
Other markers no longer nearby. A Narrow Escape (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed); Early & Gordon at Bristoe Station (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed); Battle Along the Railroad (was approx. one mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Deadly Day for Excelsior Brigade (was approx. 1.1 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. In the upper center of the marker are portraits of Gens. Jackson, Ewell, and Hooker. On the lower right is a map illustrating the tactical movements described in the text.
Additional commentary.
1. Kettle Run Marker
The Civil War Trails Marker is missing form this spot. You will only find the Civil War
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
3. Battle of Kettle Run Marker
— Submitted December 5, 2015, by Jorge A. Torres of Springfield, Virginia.
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
4. Kettle Run
Looking from the Aden Road bridge over the run.
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
5. Federal Advance
Looking southwest from the Aden Road bridge. The Federals advanced into the low ground on the west bank of Kettle Run, pressing the outnumbered Confederates back toward Bristoe Station. Most of the action occurred to the south of this point, along the railroad. The site is on private property.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6,677 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
