Manassas, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Wartime Manassas
“On to Richmond!”
On July 16, 1861, Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard received a coded message here from the famous Confederate spy, Mrs. Rose O’Neal Greenhow, in Washington. She warned him that she had copies of orders for Union Gen. Irving McDowell to march 35,000 troops to capture Manassas and then move on to Richmond. Beauregard wired Confederate President Jefferson Davis to request reinforcements. Davis confirmed McDowell’s advance, then ordered Gen. Joseph E. Johnston’s army from the Shenandoah Valley to Manassas Junction.
Early on July 18, just as Union Gen. Robert Patterson telegraphed Washington that he had “succeeded in keeping General Johnston’s force at Winchester,” Johnston slipped his command out of town. Johnston did not tell his men where they were going, and their forced march did not end until 2 a.m. on July 19, at Paris, Virginia. As the soldiers rested, Johnston rode ahead to Piedmont Station (present-day Delaplane) to arrange for trains to transport them there. When he learned of the fight at Blackburn’s Ford earlier that day, he sent word to Beauregard that he was on his way. About 6 a.m., Johnston’s first brigade, under Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, marched into view and soon boarded railroad cars for the eight-hour ride. The brigade arrived here in time to help defend the junction at the First Battle of Manassas. Within 28 hours, the men had covered 60 miles and made history as the first soldiers ever to move from one theatre of war to another by train.
Erected by Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Manassas Gap Railroad, the Virginia Civil War Trails, and the Virginia, Wartime Manassas Walking Tour series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1861.
Location. 38° 45.018′ N, 77° 28.399′ W. Marker is in Manassas, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of West Street and the railroad tracks, on the right when traveling south on West Street. Marker is across the tracks from the railroad station. 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. The Town Is Born (here, next to this marker); Route of the "Old 97" (a few steps from this marker); A Railroad Town (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson's Raid (within shouting distance of this marker); Loy E. Harris (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Manassas Junction (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Wartime Manassas (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
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 . . . Too Few Trains: The Reinforcement of P. G. T. Beauregard at First Manassas. by Charles T. Harrell. (Submitted on August 25, 2006.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 2,931 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3, 4. submitted on November 19, 2006. 5, 6. submitted on September 3, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.