Bristow in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fight for a Pine Thicket
Bristoe Station
As the Confederates fell back in confusion, General Thomas Smyth's Brigade was ordered to cross the railroad in front of you into what was then a pine tree thicket and attack the Confederate flank. With fixed bayonets, the Federals entered the thicket where visibility was only a few yards.
Soon Smyth saw a new Confederate line approaching his position. Opening fire on them, Smyth soon received orders to fall back onto the railroad. The Confederates were Brigadier General Carnot Posey's Mississippians and Brigadier General Edward Perry's Floridians. These men were part of the support that Hill promised Heth earlier. During this small fight, casualties were few but select. A shell fragment struck Posey in his thigh resulting in his death almost a month later.
"General Hays had to send an aide to bring us back in line. Fight, why the men seemed full of it! Let us at them! Haven't we whipped them twice today? Going to surprise us? Strike us in the flank and cut us in two, are you? Guess not! Not the Second Corps!"
— William Haines, 12th New Jersey
Erected by Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “We Shall Bag the Whole Crowd” (within shouting distance of this marker); The "Tigers" of Louisiana (within shouting distance of this marker); Deadly Day for Excelsior Brigade (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Davis Family Farmstead (about 600 feet away); Preparing for Battle (about 800 feet away); Battle Along the Railroad (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederates in Bristoe (approx. 0.2 miles away); "I Expect We Had Better Charge" (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristow.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
