Information Panel: Advancing Into the Woods

Information Panel: Advancing Into the Woods

Photo: NPS / Claire Hassler

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Second Battle of Manassas, Day Two, August 29, 1862, 3:00 p.m.

Originally expected to attack over open ground west of the Groveton-Sudley Road (Featherbed Lane today), Grover shifted his brigade to the right of his initially assigned position and into these woods to mask his movement and avoid Confederate artillery fire. While the timber would disrupt his line formations, it would provide enough cover for the troops to advance as close as possible to the Confederates undetected, before charging with their bayonets. 

For the Confederates, the woods in their front blinded them to the approaching threat. The crackling of underbrush could be heard long before the enemy could be seen, and the Yankees closed to within 100 yards of the railroad embankment before the Rebels realized the enemy was upon them. Colonel Edward Thomas, commanding a brigade of Georgians here, ordered his men to rise up and fire. The opening salvo "seemed to create a breeze that made the leaves upon the trees rustle," according to one Federal, "and a shower of small boughs and twigs fell upon the ground." At that moment, General Grover spurred his horse to the front and yelled for his men to "Charge!"