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

Point Blank Volley

First Battle of Manassas

— July 21, 1861 2:45 p.m. —

Point Blank Volley Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

1. Point Blank Volley Marker

Inscription. Captain Charles Griffin's cannon, a section of Battery D, 5th U.S. Artillery, fired only two rounds when an unidentified line of infantry approached from the fence ahead. Who were they? Griffin proclaimed them the enemy. His commanding officer, the army's chief of artillery, disagreed. Reassured, the gunners resumed firing on the Confederate artillery in the distance.

The infantry advanced within forty paces of this position — point blank range — and leveled their muskets. A thunderous volley tore through the battery. Within moments the position was overrun by Confederates. Though the 33rd Virginia momentarily captured these guns, the battle was far from over. Union reinforcements were coming up the hill from Sudley Road.

Erected by Manassas National Battlefield Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1861.

Location. 38° 48.734′ N, 77° 31.233′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Sudley Road (Virginia Route 234) half a mile south of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located behind the Visitor

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Center, next to the two artillery pieces and limbers on display. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Point-Blank Volley (here, next to this marker); Lieutenant William P. Mangum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonel Thomas (about 300 feet away); Final Struggle (about 300 feet away); Defeat and Disarray (about 300 feet away); Counterattack (about 300 feet away); Charge on Griffin’s Guns (about 400 feet away); Turning the Tide (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

Also see . . .
1. Manassas National Battlefield Park. National Park Service (Submitted on October 1, 2015.)

2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled “Point-Blank Volley” (Submitted on October 1, 2015.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2023

2. Point Blank Volley Marker

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2022

3. Point Blank Volley Marker

Artillery Piece near the Point Blank Volley Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

4. Artillery Piece near the Point Blank Volley Marker

Artillery Piece and Limber image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

5. Artillery Piece and Limber

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.