Historic Preservation

By August 1862, Confederate General Robert E. Lee and a new Federal commander, John Pope, faced one another in Central Virginia.  Lee decided to send Confederate General "Stonewall" Jackson on a long march around Pope's right flank into Northern Virginia.  Jackson would cut the Orange and Alexandria Railroad at Manassas and then reunite with the remainder of the Confederate army somewhere around the Manassas area.  If the opportunity to strike Pope presented itself during these maneuvers, Lee would take it. On August 25, Jackson's 24,000 men began a march of over 50 miles to within striking distance of Manassas.  Jackson knew that Manassas was fortified and a small number of troops could hold the junction against Jackson. Rather than lose precious time and men, Jackson decided to send his force to cut the railroad at Bristoe Station.

Only a small Union force defended Bristoe Station. Jackson's column made short work of the Federal defenders and the station belonged to the Confederates within minutes. As night fell, Confederate soldiers derailed two trains, completely blocking the railroad.  After the destruction at Bristoe, Jackson ordered General Richard Ewell to remain in the area to defend against Union excursions from Warrenton.  Jackson took the rest of his command to Manassas, where on August 27, they consumed, pillaged and burned the massive Federal depot there.

After sending part of his army towards Bristoe, Pope realized that rather than a small raid, a large part of Lee's army was now in his rear.  Soon orders were sent to his entire army to move towards Manassas.  A division under the command of General Joseph Hooker was to travel along the railroad and recapture Bristoe Station. Hooker executed the orders, and by 2:00 p.m., his division crossed Kettle Run and engaged Ewell's men, who were positioned south of the station.  Holding back Hooker for nearly two hours and with his mission complete, Ewell decided to fall back and reunite with Jackson.  The Battle of Kettle Run was over.

The Battle of Kettle Run, while small, was still deadly for the soldiers engaged.  The Union lost 330 men killed or wounded with some units taking nearly 50% casualties.  Confederate losses were smaller with 176 men killed or wounded.  The Battle of Kettle Run was the initial engagement of the Battle of 2nd Manassas, one of the Confederacy's greatest victories.