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

Jackson Opens Fire

Second Battle of Manassas

— Day One, August 28, 1862, 6 p.m. —

Jackson Opens Fire Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Stephen Santelli, August 9, 2011

1. Jackson Opens Fire Marker

Inscription. "My command was advanced...until it reached a commanding position near Brawner's house. By this time it was sunset; but as [the Union] column appeared to be moving by, with its flank exposed, I determined to attack at once."

Observing a column of tired, unsuspecting Federal troops marching eastward on the Warrenton Pike (U.S. Rte. 29 today), General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson chose to reveal his position and draw the Union Army of Virginia into battle on ground favoring the Confederates. The Federals raced for cover along the roadside as Confederate shells burst overhead. The Battle of Second Manassas had begun.

Two divisions of Jackson's hardened infantry swarmed from the wooded ridge behind the house but met unexpected stiff resistance from six Union regiments that advanced from the turnpike. Confederate division commanders William Taliaferro and Richard Ewell were severely wounded in the intense, close range firefight that continued until darkness fell. The fight at Brawner's Farm ended in stalemate leaving Jackson frustrated by his troops' inability to break the Union line.

Erected 2011 by Manassas National Battlefield Park - National Park Service - Department of the Interior.

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

Location.

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38° 48.793′ N, 77° 33.901′ W. Marker is near Gainesville, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Pageland Lane (County Route 705). Next to the Brawner Farm Interpretive Center withing Manassas National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6501 Pageland Ln, Gainesville VA 20155, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 19th Indiana Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); A Stand Up Fight (within shouting distance of this marker); Archeology at Brawner Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson Strikes (within shouting distance of this marker); 2nd Wisconsin Infantry (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Brigade (about 500 feet away); Shooting Gallery (about 600 feet away); The Battle Begins (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gainesville.

Photographed By Stephen Santelli, August 9, 2011

2. Jackson Opens Fire Marker

Marker in the foreground, looking east along the trail that roughly marks the Union line on August 28.

Photographed By Stephen Santelli, August 9, 2011

3. Jackson Opens Fire Marker

Looking west with the Brawner Farm Interpretive Center in the background.

Photographed By Stephen Santelli, August 9, 2011

4. Jackson Opens Fire Marker

In the background, U.S. Rte. 29 (Lee Highway), where Jackson observed a Union column.

Reconstructed Brawner House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 20, 2016

5. Reconstructed Brawner House

Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2011, by Stephen Santelli of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 996 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 10, 2011, by Stephen Santelli of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5. submitted on February 19, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.