Beagle Log, 12 December 2007 - Bull Run

Last edited by on Fri 14 Dec 2007 - 21:12; edited 1 time in total

Good Morning Smith Chatters,

The following is a bit more then normally posted. Is it of interest?

Earlier JFS1952 indicated an interest in the American Civil War. I am not a civil war buff but can provide the following. The American Civil War was about slavery. It was not about the abolition of slavery but the legalization of slavery in new states being admitted to the Union. It was also about State rights. Under the US constitution, States have rights and it was widely held then, as today, the federal government cannot abridge those rights. Thus, it was perceived by southern states’ their power/influence in the federal government was slipping as new western states were being admitted. In 1861, southern states seceded from the Union. In April 1861, confederate forces fired on and captured Ft. Sumter (click on link) located in Charleston, South Caroline. This was the start of hostilities.

The First Battle of Bull Run, July 1861 was the first major land battle of the War. Bull Run is approximately25 miles from Washington DC and 4 miles north of Manassas. The Manassas rail junction was a strategic objective. Bull Run, on the Warrington Turnpike (today’s RT 29) was the “funnel” through which Union forces had to go to capture the rail junction. Further south is blocked by tidal rivers and further north by the Potomac River and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The battle (click this link - First Battle of Bull Run) was a disaster for the Union. Both sides were ill prepared. When Union forces, forced to retreat, were blocked by the wealthy elite of nearby Washington, including congressmen and their families, expecting an easy Union victory. They had come to picnic and watch the battle. When the Union army was driven back in disorder, the roads back to Washington were blocked by panicked civilians attempting to flee in their carriages. (Sounds similar to an event 1800 years earlier – the downfall of Boadicea)

We live 5-7 miles from the Bull Run National Battlefield Park. (If you go to this link, First Battle of Bull Run, scroll down to the 3^rd illustration, you’ll see McDowell’s position which includes Centreville. That’s where we live). Occasionally we walk our dogs on trails within the park. Following are a few pictures of the park.

Following is the "Stone House" It was a tavern on the Warrington Turnpike. During the battle, it was turned into a field hospital. On separate occasions it was used by both the Union and the Confederates.

Below is the rebuilt Henry house, an important feature on the battlefield. See picture of field placard below.

Judith Henry was killed by Union fire. The Confederate snipers were using the upper windows.

Below was taken from the north side of the Henry house. This was the Confederate's front line. The Union force's main advance was from the tree line on Matthews Hill in the distance. The Stone House is in the dip between the two positions.

This is Bull Run. It is to the right side of Matthews Hill. This is the start of our walk with the beagles. The item on the left edge, middle, is Hanna

In the southern part of the US, small streams are called "runs". I don't know why, its one of those questions that I've never looked for an answer.
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Don

Subject: Re: Beagle Log, 12 December 2007 - Bull Run Wed 12 Dec 2007 - 12:17

Wow Don!

I really do find that interesting. Having someone explain it like a bit of local news cuts it down to size, if you know what I mean. I find the same with family history. Realising how events affected my ancestors makes the facts seem more real to me. I believe others feel the same way. It brings history alive when you have a personal slant on it.

Thanks Don for taking so much time to prepare all that. I shall go back and look at it in more detail later and I believe my husband will be very interested too.

Gillian
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''What will survive of us is love.'' Philip Larkin

Subject: Re: Beagle Log, 12 December 2007 - Bull Run Wed 12 Dec 2007 - 13:15

Here I am back again Don!

Do you remeber a song by Rolf Harris, the Australian artist/entertainer called 'Two Little Boys'? It was a big hit over here in I think 1960s/70s. I think it was top one Christmas? If you go to this site you will find the lyrics which are extremely moving. I have always understood it to recall an incident in the American Civil War.
http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/r/rolfharris8383/twolittleboys289132.html
If you know anything about it I would love to hear Don.
Thanks Gillian
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''What will survive of us is love.'' Philip Larkin

Subject: Re: Beagle Log, 12 December 2007 - Bull Run Wed 12 Dec 2007 - 15:47

Gillian,

Lovely lyrics. No, I don't think I ever heard this song. Rolf Harris is also a new name to me. But that doesn’t mean much.
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Don

Subject: Re: Beagle Log, 12 December 2007 - Bull Run Thu 13 Dec 2007 - 14:35

Hi Gillian and Don,

Don - this is really interesting stuff. Thank you for that. Yes the Rolf Harris song is wonderful "Two Little Boys, had two little toys....", I didn't know that Gillian - that it was about an incident specific to the American Civil War. We learn something new every day here don't we!!

See you later,
Carole Very Happy

Subject: Re: Beagle Log, 12 December 2007 - Bull Run Thu 13 Dec 2007 - 16:30

Hi Don

Thanks for the above. I'm a History Buff and have always been interrested in the American Civil war. There was a series on TV a while ago about it. In the programme they read letters from soldiers and there wives and mothers. The photos are great, it looks so peacefull and quiet, it's hard to believe that a war was fought there.

Bye for now Jean

Subject: Re: Beagle Log, 12 December 2007 - Bull Run Sat 29 Dec 2007 - 14:16

Hi everyone,

Don, I just came back to this Topic you posted a couple of weeks ago about the Bull Run. Wanted to study it again more closely now that the "Christmas rush" is over, and have a bit more time to look properly at those links.

It is really interesting and thanks again so much for putting all this together, and I was glad to see you've added a link to it from the North America Board.

The photographs are magnificent - and as Jean says - so peaceful and quiet, that it's difficult to believe it was once a battlefield.

Thank you again Don & Have a great day everyone

Carole Very Happy