Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Manning the Fort
— The Manassas Museum System —
Much of the soldier's day was spent learning military drill. They also searched for clean water, mended clothes, dug trenches for latrines, and gathered wood for cooking and heating. The men subsisted mostly on salt pork, dried beans, corn bread, and hardtack (a dense cracker baked to the consistency of wood). At times soldiers received food sent from home. By far, the most important staple was coffee.
Despite their heavy workload, soldiers always had time for recreation. Almost every unit had at least one boy who could strum a guitar or banjo, or play a fiddle. The soldiers also read, wrote letters to their loved ones, partook in religious reflection, and played any game they could devise, including baseball,
cards, boxing matches, and cockfights. They bet on anything that would move, from lice dropped onto heated plates, to pushing comrades seated in wheelbarrows. They used cannon balls for bowling at ten-pins, whittled sticks, carved pipes from soapstone, and talked about the nature of war and the hope of returning home.
Erected by Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 38° 45.227′ N, 77° 27.156′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Battery Heights Boulevard and Quarry Road, on the right when traveling south. Located inside the earthworks at Mayfield Civil War Fort Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manassas VA 20110, 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 Mayfield Civil War Fort (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort
(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Mayfield Civil War Fort (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
More about this marker. On the left, “An 1862 photograph of winter quarters of Confederate forces thought to be located southwest of Mayfield plantation near Manassas Junction.”
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. Mayfield Fort – A Civil Work Earthwork Fortification. (Submitted on September 10, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. How the Civil War Soldiers Lived. (Submitted on September 10, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. What was life as a soldier like in 1863?. (Submitted on September 10, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
4. Hardtack. Yummy! (Submitted on September 10, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
5. Civil War Baseball: Baseball and the Blue and the Gray. (Submitted on September 10, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Categories. • War, US Civil •
More. Search the internet for Mayfield Civil War Fort.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 10, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,668 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on April 7, 2011, by Jonathan Carruthers of Bealeton, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.