Centreville in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Retreat From Manassas
Panic at Cub Run Bridge
Confederate Capt. Delaware Kemper, Alexandria Light Artillery, deployed two guns in the turnpike on the hill less than a mile west of the bridge. The first shot, fired by ardent secessionist Edmund Ruffin, caused a wagon to overturn and block the bridge. With a well-directed barrage raining down on the bridge, the Federals fled in panic, throwing away weapons and haversacks, as well as anything else that slowed them down. Unable to ford the stream, they also abandoned wagons, ambulances, and artillery pieces.
While pursuing the Union army, the 8th South Carolina Infantry captured U.S. Congressman Alfred Ely (N.Y.) who along with many northern politicians and Washington, D.C., residents had journeyed out to watch what they confidently believed would be the Union victory that would end the war. Most of the civilians observed the battle from Centreville Heights, but a small number of politicians and newspapermen ventured beyond Cub Run to the vicinity of the field hospital at Mrs. Spindle’s house. In the race for safety, they abandoned their carriages at Cub Run, further clogging the road, impeding the retreat, and adding to the panic.
Erected 2014 by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list.
Location. 38° 50.014′ N, 77° 27.781′ W. Marker is in Centreville, Virginia, in Fairfax County. Marker can be reached from Lee Highway (U.S. 29) west of Prince Way, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at a trailhead to the Cub Run Stream Valley trail. Parking along London Towne Square is convenient. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Centreville VA 20120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Battle of Manassas (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery Ridge (approx. one mile away); Second Battle of Manassas (approx. 1.2 miles away); Campaign of Second Manassas (approx. 1.2 miles away); Confederate Defenses (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named First Battle of Manassas (approx. 1.2 miles away); Military Railroad Terminus (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Centreville Confederate Military Railroad (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Centreville.
More about this marker. The marker displays one map captioned “Battles of Bull Run near Manassas, 1861-1862” Courtesy National Archives & Records Administration and three photos captioned Congressman Alfred Ely Courtesy Library of Congress, Destroyed Cub Run Bridge, March, 1862 – Courtesy Library of Congress, and Mrs. Spindle’s house, located on the north side of the road just east of present-day Bull Run Post Office Road, March, 1862 – Courtesy Library of Congress
Also see . . .
1. Spectators Witness History at Manassas. By Jim Burgess, Museum Specialist at the Manassas National Battlefield Museum; Hallowed Ground Magazine, Spring 2011 (Submitted on July 27, 2014.)
2. War Watchers at Bull Run During America's Civil War. Originally published by Civil War Times magazine. Published Online: June 12, 2006 (Submitted on July 27, 2014.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2014. This page has been viewed 665 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2014. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.