Preparing for Battle

At dawn on August 27, 1862, Stonewall Jackson moved two divisions up the railroad to the main Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction and left three brigades of Maj. Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s Division as a rear guard at Bristoe to hold off an expected Federal counterattack until further orders. Ewell formed his main battle line along Brentsville Road, posted batteries on the hills around Bristoe, pushed two regiments of Forno’s Brigade forward near the Kettle Run bridge three-quarters of a mile along the railroad to warn of approaching Federals, and placed the 60th Georgia Infantry with an artillery attachment on the south side of the railroad to confront any Federals there. Pope at first treated the move at Bristoe as only an annoyance, but after learning on the morning of August 27 that a large Confederate force occupied the station, he ordered Maj. Gen. Joe Hooker’s division to move back up the rail line and retake Bristoe. Hooker’s men endured a hot and grueling march that caused many to fall out, then drove back Forno’s two regiments at the Kettle Run bridge and, by 2:30 pm, the lead elements had pushed through woods and reached the open field ahead. Jackson had instructed Ewell to remain at Bristow with his three brigades to check any advance from Pope’s army along the railroad, but if the enemy appeared in heavy force, to retire on Manassas Junction because he did not want a general engagement at that time.

Linton Hall, Virginia · United States