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

The Union Fifth Corps at Dawkins Branch

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 4, 2012

1. The Union Fifth Corps at Dawkins Branch Marker

Inscription. On the morning of August 29, 1862, the Union Fifth Corps, nearly 10,000 troops under Major General Fitz John Porter, advanced from Manassas Junction along this road under orders from Major General John Pope to march towards Gainesville and cut off the presumed escape of Stonewall Jackson's forces. Upon reaching Dawkins Branch about 11:30 a.m., Porter's column met Confederate resistance. Dust clouds to the west, generated by Confederate cavalry, gave the impression of a large enemy column. As skirmishing continued throughout the afternoon, Porter learned it was General James Longstreet's wing of Robert E. Lee's army confronting him. Unable to connect with Pope's left flank near Groveton, Porter did not press an attack against Longstreet's superior numbers. The presence of Union troops here kept Longstreet from moving against Pope on August 29 but Porter's inaction made him a convenient scapegoat for the Union defeat at Second Manassas and led to his Court-Martial, which was eventually overturned in 1876.

Erected 2011 by Prince William County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this

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topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 38° 46.571′ N, 77° 33.058′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. It is at the intersection of Wellington Road and Virginia Meadows Drive, on the right when traveling west on Wellington Road. 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,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dean Divers Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Brownsville (approx.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 4, 2012

2. The Union Fifth Corps at Dawkins Branch Marker

1.7 miles away); Historic Landscape Restoration (approx. 1.9 miles away); Second Battle of Manassas (approx. 1.9 miles away); Meadowville (approx. 2.1 miles away); Stuart's Hill Walking Trail (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Battlefield In 1862 (approx. 2.2 miles away); Hazel Plain (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

Porter's Skirmish Line image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 4, 2012

3. Porter's Skirmish Line

Looking at the bridge over Dawkins Branch at the high ground occupied by the Fifth Corps on August 29. This area is rapidly changing due to land development.

Confederate Lines image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 4, 2012

4. Confederate Lines

The ground on which the Confederate skirmishers blocked Porter's advance is also being developed at this time.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,328 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 11, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.