Manassas (Bull Run) was the site of the first Civil War Battle. Both sides figured it would be a quick fight that they'd win and go home. Spectators sat on the hills to watch. It turned out to be only the first of four years of battle in which more than 600,000 soldiers died (and presumably a large number of civilians as a result of starvation or exposure or stray fire).
Those things that look like giant bullets on the corners really were leftover ammunition when the monument was first erected. The visitor center has what's left of one that exploded after it was removed and replaced with something less dangerous.
That line of trees was where the rebels stood and fired on the northerners standing right about where I am. Serious guts involved to stand that close and fire back.
Replica of a civilian house that was pelted with bullets during the first skirmish and dismantled for fuel in the following winter.
The park ranger didn't know if this cannon (or any of the others on the field) were used in the first battle but they are all from the Civil War. Kind of remarkable to be standing that close to history.
No comments:
Post a Comment