Near Gainesville in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Shooting Gallery
S.D. Lee's Artillery
— Second Battle of Manassas - Day Three - August 30, 1862 —
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 4, 2008
1. Shooting Gallery Marker
From here, Confederate gunners had a clear view of Porter's attack - the most formidable onslaught of the three days. There were few trees between S.D. Lee's Battalion and the nearest Union columns a third of a mile away. As thousands of bluecoats swept across the field, Colonel Lee's men jumped to their guns and opened fire.
The heavy bombardment, a rain of whizzing shell fragments, kept reinforcements from crossing the field, and helped ensure Union defeat at Deep Cut.
When the first group of Federals finally retreated from the railroad grade, Lee's artillerists fired shell and case shot onto the field with pinpoint accuracy. "The ground," wrote one survivor, "seemed like a millpond in a shower, so frequently did shells rip the earth."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 48.907′ N, 77° 33.815′ W. Marker was near Gainesville, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker was on Pageland Lane (County Route 705) one mile north of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling north. Located on the Brawner Farm Loop Trail, Manassas National Battlefield Park. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. First Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 26th Georgia Infantry (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Shooting Gallery (about 500 feet away); 2nd Wisconsin Infantry (about 600 feet away); Jackson Strikes (about 600 feet away); Jackson Opens Fire (approx. 0.2 miles away); 19th Indiana Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Stand Up Fight (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gainesville.
More about this marker. On the upper right is a drawing of Confederate Col. Stephen D. Lee's Artillery Battalion. Eventually S.D. Lee had eighteen cannon along this line during Porter's attack. Counterfire from Union batteries was ineffective.
On the lower right is a map indicating the locations of Lee's artillery and Porter's 3:30 p.m. attack.
This marker was replaced by a new one, with the same name, in 2012. See nearby markers.
Also see . . . My guns, his guns!. Long after the war, a spirited exchange between S.D. Lee and General James Longstreet discussed exactly who should get credit for the artillery's placement
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 4, 2008
2. Porter's Attack Map
Note the north seeking arrow pointed to the left of the map.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 4, 2008
3. Shooting Gallery Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 2, 2007
4. S.D. Lee's Artillery
Five artillery pieces mark the location of the battalion. Note the marker between the second and third pieces. These guns were placed into storage during the spring of 2008 while the surrounding landscape was undergoing restoration.
Photographed By Craig Swain, June 2, 2007
5. S.D. Lee's Field of Fire - Before the Landscape Restoration
The tree line was not present at the time of battle. The restoration program centered on clearing wood lots that did not exist in 1862, and planting additional trees where thickets did stand.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 4, 2008
6. Landscapte Restoration in Progress
A similar view after the restoration progress had begun.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 8, 2009
7. View After the Clearing
After about a year of clearing operations, the view from the artillery position resembles the wartime appearance.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 8, 2009
8. Artillery Pieces
The artillery pieces were relocated a bit further south after the clearing operations were completed.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 8, 2009
9. Artillerist's View
Looking down the barrel of a Tredegar 6-pdr iron smoothbore in the direction of the Federal lines.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,515 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 7, 8, 9. submitted on April 27, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
