Second Time

Union troops near the farm of John Brawner on August 28th 1862, bring on the Second Battle of Bull Run or Second Manassas.

Confederate Major General Thomas J Stonewall Jackson observed the Union troop movements along the Warrenton Turnpike. The Union units were made up of the commands of Brigadier Generals Rufus King, John P Hatch, Abner Doubleday, Marsena R Patrick, and John Gibbon, and were marching east to join up with the rest of Union General John Pope’s army at Centreville.

Jackson was concerned that Pope would be able to link his army with McClellan’s behind the Bull Run. He decided his best course of action was to attack. Confederate artillery began shelling at about 6:30pm. Union General John Gibbon requested the veteran 2nd Wisconsin Infantry be brought up quietly to capture the Rebel guns. The 2nd, under the command of Colonel Edgar O’Connor advanced through the woods on John Brawner’s farm, moving uphill, where they deployed and drove some Confederate skirmishers back. The 2nd soon came up against the Stonewall Brigade, commanded by Colonel William S Baylor. For over two hours the two units exchanged fire at less than eighty yard distance from each other. The fighting ended about 9pm with Gibbon’s men still firing as they retreated back into the edge of the woods.

The Battle really had no winners. Losses where heavy on both sides. The Union had about 1,200 casualties and the Confederate saw about 1,250. It worked out that about 1 out of every 3 men engaged in the fight were shot. Jackson didn’t achieve an overall victory, but he did realize his strategic intent, of attracting General John Pope. The next day General Pope launched an attack on Jackson’s men along an unfinished railroad bed.

The Death Of Reynolds

"Forward men, forward, for God's sake, and drive those fellows out of the woods," the words spoken by Major General John Fulton Reynolds on the first day of Gettysburg July 1st 1863.

The black-hat veterans of the 2nd Wisconsin, “The Badgers” had just arrived on the field. They rushed into line, with Major John Fulton Reynolds’ words pushing them on, they advanced on the Rebels. As Reynolds turned in his saddle to see the 7th Wisconsin come into line and charge, he was struck in the back of the neck by a mini ball. General Reynolds’ orderly Charles Veil said, "He never spoke a word, or moved a muscle after he was struck. I have seen many men killed in action but never saw a ball do its work so instantly as did the ball that struck General Reynolds." Command then fell to Major General Abner Doubleday.

Reynolds body was taken from Gettysburg to Taneytown Maryland, and than to his hometown of Lancaster Pennsylvania where he was buried. He died exactly twenty-two years after the date of his graduation from West Point.

Some other reading that may of interest
The Death of Major General John F. Reynolds

Towards Gettysburg: A Biography of General John F. Reynolds

Those Damned Black Hats! The Iron Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign