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

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One-Sided Slaughter

Fate of the 5th New York

— Second Battle of Manassas - Day Three - August 30, 1862 —

One-Sided Slaughter Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 19, 2008

1. One-Sided Slaughter Marker

Inscription. The 5th N.Y. Infantry thought they had gotten off easy that day. The trees screened them from Confederate artillery fire, and most of the fighting was a mile off to the right near Deep Cut.

Suddenly they heard heavy musket fire up ahead. Terrified Union skirmishers came running out of the woods, followed by a tremendous crashing of brush and leaves - the sound of a large army approaching.

Unable to see what was coming, but knowing it was going to be very bad, the 5th New York hurried to form a battle line along the crest of this slope. Panicked skirmishers kept getting in the way. By then, thousands of Confederates were at the edge of the trees firing volley after volley.

In five minutes, the 5th New York lost nearly 300 killed and wounded out of about 500 men. From a distance, the scene was deceptive: the grassy slope, covered with the bright red and blue uniforms of fallen Zouaves, reminded one Southerner of a field of Texas wildflowers.

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 This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.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° 48.609′ N, 77° 32.643′ W. Marker was near Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County

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. Marker was on New York Avenue, 0.3 miles south of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling south. Located at stop eight on the driving tour of Manassas National Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. "The Very Vortex of Hell" (here, next to this marker); 5th Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); 10th New York Vol. Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Counterattack (within shouting distance of this marker); Twilight Clash (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fighting in Twilight (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brooklyn Fourteenth (approx. ¼ mile away); Manassas National Battlefield Park (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

More about this marker. On the right side of the marker is a painting of the Zouaves' stand.

A new marker, titled "The Very Vortex of Hell", replaced this marker in 2012. See nearby markers.

One-Sided Slaughter Marker at the Parking Lot image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 19, 2008

2. One-Sided Slaughter Marker at the Parking Lot

Confederate Advance through the Woods image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 19, 2008

3. Confederate Advance through the Woods

Looking west from the marker location. The wood line is not exactly as things were in 1862. Longstreet's Confederate flanking attack, specifically Hood's Division, surged through the woods here, meeting Warren's Brigade, which included the 5th New York.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,055 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.