Preparing for Battle

Preparing for Battle. Bristoe Station. As dawn broke on August 27, 1862, Stonewall Jackson moved two of his divisions up the railroad to the main Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction, leaving three brigades of Maj. Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s Division as a rear guard at Bristoe. Ewell’s mission was to fend off the expected Federal counterattack until further orders from Jackson. Ewell placed his main battle line along Brentsville Road, with batteries posted along the hills around Bristoe. Two regiments of Forno’s Brigade were pushed forward near the Kettle Run bridge, ¾ mile to your right along the railroad. These men would warn of any approaching Federals. Also, the 60th Georgia Infantry with an artillery attachment were located on the southern side of the railroad to confront any Federals on that side of the tracks., Pope assumed that the incursion at Bristoe was only an annoyance. When he learned of the large number of Confederates occupying the station on the morning of August 27, Pope ordered Maj. Gen. Joe Hooker’s division to move back up the rail line and recapture Bristoe. Hooker’s men experienced a hot and grueling march with many men dropping out due to the extreme conditions. After pushing back Forno’s two regiments at the Kettle Run bridge, Hooker’s lead elements pushed through a stand of woods to your right and arrived at the open field before you at 2:30 pm., (Sidebar): Gen. Ewell had been ordered by Gen. Jackson to remain at Bristow with his three remaining brigades to check any advance from Pope’s army along the railroad, but, if the enemy appeared in heavy force, retire upon the Junction (Manassas), as he did not desire a general engagement at this time. , Brig. Gen. Jubal Early, CSA