An UnCivil War

In early December, Bill and I visited Anna and Jake, and Heather, Jarrett, Jackson and Felicity.  We enjoyed family time and getting to know our great-nephew and niece.

We also spent some time at the Manassas Battlefield National Park and on the way home, we visited Appomattox Court House. We saw the beginning of the Civil War at Manassas and the end at Appomattox.

An UnCivil War

From the first battle to the last gasp,

From Manassas to Appomattox.

Brave soldiers died,

Six hundred thousand and more.

The South won the battles, but lost the war.

They stood “like a stone wall” in defense

of a cause doomed from its conception.

Justice, freedom and union prevailed.

If they will still prevail,
There can be no rest in their defense today.

Manassas - the beginning

The First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) was fought in July, 1861.

It was the first major battle of the Civil War.

The Second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) was fought in August, 1862.

The Confederate victory emboldened Lee to push north, on a path that led to Gettysburg.

Henry House

Elderly Judith Carter Henry was the first and only civilian casualty of the First Battle of Manassas. She refused to evacuate and she, her daughter and their servant were caught in the battle as shells hit their house. She died from injuries sustained when the house was shelled.

Throughout both First and Second Manasses, battles raged around Henry Hill.

A monument to all those killed in the battle was placed behind the house.  

Stone House, near Henry House

Cannon pointed toward Henry House

General Thomas Jackson's courageous defense rallied the Confederate troops,

turning the tide of battle in their favor. He earned the name “Stonewall Jackson” at First Manassas.    

Stonewall Jackson

Peaceful fields, trails and fences recall how the battlefields must have looked before the war.

From the Confederate victory at the First Battle of Manasses in July 1861 the Civil War would continue for four more years, costing hundreds of thousands of lives.

It finally ended for Lee and the South at the Battle of Appomattox Court House. Terms of surrender were signed at the McLean House.

Family lore places Aulcie Crawford Jackson at the battle and

witness to a meeting between Grant and Lee.

A.C. Jackson → Anna Jackson Renshaw → Mozelle Renshaw Whitaker → William Robert Whitaker

Apomattox Court House

McLean House at Appomattox - the end.

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