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

The Fight for Ricketts' Guns

First Battle of Manassas

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 4, 2008

1. The Fight for Rickett’s Guns Marker

Inscription. Shells were exploding overhead as Ricketts’ men dueled Stonewall Jackson’s artillery, directly across the field. Sharpshooters’ bullets thumped into the wooden limber chests. On the rear slope horses were screaming, dying. Suddenly from the far woods came an eerie, blood-chilling cry—the rebel yell. Through dense smoke, Ricketts could see Confederate infantry starting across the field.

Up to that moment the Confederates appeared to be losing the battle, and possibly the war. Here the momentum shifted. At Henry House and other stops on the tour, exhibits reveal how the battle rushed toward the unexpected climax at Ricketts’ guns.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 48.829′ N, 77° 31.328′ W. Marker was near Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. It could be reached from Sudley Road (Virginia Route 234) half a mile south of Lee Highway (Interstate 29), on the right when traveling north. The marker is at a wayside on the Henry House Hill

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trail, which starts at the Manassas National Battlefield Park visitor center. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Manassas VA 20109, 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,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 walking distance of this location: Artillery Duel (here, next to this marker); Position 7th G.A. Regt. (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 7th Georgia Markers (within shouting distance of this marker); Henry Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Ramsey (about 300 feet away, measured

Looking West, in the Direction the Cannon is Pointing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, June 10, 2006

2. Looking West, in the Direction the Cannon is Pointing

Notice Stonewall Jackson on his horse in the distance on the right “There stands Jackson like a stone wall.”

in a direct line); The War Over Memory (about 400 feet away); 1st Battle of Bull Run Memorial (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Honoring the Dead (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

Other markers no longer nearby. 7th Georgia Markers (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Henry Hill Walking Tour (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Honoring the Dead (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the lower portion of the marker is a portrait of Captain James B. Ricketts, Company I, 1st U.S. Artillery, with the caption In the Confederate charge, Ricketts was badly wounded in the leg, captured, and taken to Confederate headquarters at the nearby Lewis plantation. Above the portrait to the right is a painting depicting the loss of Ricketts' Guns.

This marker was replaced by a new one named Artillery Duel (see nearby markers).

Also see . . . General James B. Ricketts.

Atop Henry Hill Looking North image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, June 10, 2006

3. Atop Henry Hill Looking North

This marker in the foreground, Ricketts’ cannon and Henry House, with the 1865 Bull Run Monument to the right. A limber with its chest can be seen on the far left.

This page has a portrait of New York native General Ricketts (scroll down to see it), who was Captain during the First Battle of Bull Run. (Submitted on March 18, 2007.)

Additional keywords. First Battle of Bull Run. 1st Bull Run. 1st Manassas. Ricketts’ cannon, Rickett's cannon, Ricketts' cannon, Union Captain J. B. Ricketts.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,583 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on March 26, 2022, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on June 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on March 18, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.