Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Charge Bayonets!
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2023
1. Charge Bayonets! Marker
General John Pope arrived on the battlefield at 1 p.m. on August 29, 1862, with every expectation of defeating Stonewall Jackson. The Union commander directed General Fitz John Porter's Fifth Corps to march towards Gainesille, anticipating a move against the enemy's flank. With this in mind, Pope ordered a series of diversionary attacks on the Unfinished Railroad to distract the Confederates.
About mid-afternoon, Pope ordered General Joseph Hooker's division to advance into the woods adjoining the railroad grade and attack. Hesitant to make a direct frontal assault, Hooker sought the support of other Federal troops near Sudley Church to increase the prospect of success. With reassurances of forthcoming assistance, Hooker selected the five-regiment brigade of General Cuvier Grover to spearhead the assault.
The thirty-four-year-old Grover, a West Point graduate, formed his 1,500 soldiers into line and ordered them to fix bayonets. This classic bayonet charge - uncommon during the Civil War due to advances in rifled weaponry - initially caught the Confederates by surprise and achieved stunning success. But the lack of promised
this page online
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is August 29, 1862.
Location. 38° 49.544′ N, 77° 32.92′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is on Featherbed Lane (Virginia Route 622), on the left when traveling south. The marker is located at the Unfinished Railroad Parking Lot at stop 6 of the driving tour. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2023
2. Charge Bayonets! Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Unfinished Railroad (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Unfinished Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Unfinished Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Brigade (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Archers Brigade (about 600 feet away); 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry (approx. Ό mile away); 20th New York State Militia (approx. Ό mile away); 2nd New Hampshire Infantry (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
More about this marker. A portrait of Brig. Gen. Cuvier Grover appears on the left of the marker. A map of a loop trail is at the lower right of the marker. It includes a caption of "The Unfinished Railroad Loop Trail (1.2 miles) explores the ground over which Grover's bayonet charge took place. Interpretive exhibits discuss the attack in detail and tell the stories of several participants. Hiking time is approximately 45 minutes."
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2023
3. Charge Bayonets! Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
