Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Wartime Manassas
Prelude to First Manassas
(Preface): During the Civil War, two railroads—the Manassas Gap and the Orange and Alexandria—intersected here. Manassas Junction was strategically important to both the Union and the Confederacy as a supply depot and for military transportation. Two of the war’s great battles were fought nearby. Diaries, letters, and newspaper articles documented the war’s effects on civilians as well as the thousands of soldiers who passed through the junction.
More than 34,000 Confederate soldiers camped on an near this spot during the first months of the Civil War in 1861. Thousands of young men joined local companies throughout the South to fight in what most believed would be a single decisive battle to defend their independence. Those who came here were treated as heroes en route. As the weeks and months crawled by at this once-quiet rural railroad junction, just 27 miles from Washington, the green recruits slowly adjusted to the reality of a soldier’s daily camp life. They filled their letters home with accounts of discomfort and boredom as they eagerly awaited the glory of victory in the great battle still to come.
“About one hour before the brake of day you are interrupted by a loud beating of a base drum which they call revile. You then at once rise & on double quick time drag on your old dust wallowed coat [and start with] the speed of some wild flying fowl for the parade ground to answer your name at roll call. You then proceed to kindle you a fire, then apply your cooking utensils which are near nothing, iron mashed to geather [together]. You take from the pan some burnt biscuit without either salt, flour or water in them & from said kettle you take a little beef’s neck boil[ed] without any water. You then seat your self with four or five of your filthy handed, snot nosed, frisele [frizzle-]headed mess mates. After this is finished about one third are detailed to guard the others & keep them all to wollern [wallowing] in one hole as if they were a parcel of hogs.” —Letter, Sgt Edmond Stephens to William W. Upshaw, 9th Louisiana Infantry, Nov. 22, 1861.
Erected by 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, and the Virginia, Wartime Manassas Walking Tour series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is October 22, 1688.
Location. 38° 44.97′ N, 77° 28.303′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia. Marker is on Prince William Street near Main Street, on the right when traveling east. At the entrance to the Manassas Museum. 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. Occupation or Liberation (within shouting distance of this marker); Burning of Manassas (within shouting distance of this marker); Manassas 1905 - The Great Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); War on the Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Manassas (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Manassas Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); Site of Manassas Junction (about 300 feet away); Liberty Street (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
More about this marker. On the lower left, the marker has a drawing of camp life, “Once soldiers reached their camps, they had to do their own cooking.” from Frank Leslie’s Weekly, 1863.
The lower center has a drawing of soldiers departing on a train, from Harper’s Weekly, 1861. “[In every town our train arrived] we would find [it] thronged with ladies moving their handkerchiefs, tossing us flowers, and bidding us to be of good cheer and [to] fight like brave fellows.” —Letter, B.C. Cushman, May 16, 1861.
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. Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 31, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Manassas Gap Railroad. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 31, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,859 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.