Second Battle of Bull Run Facts for Kids

Painting of the Second Battle of Bull Run

The Second Battle of Bull Run (also called the Battle of Second Manassas) was a battle during the American Civil War. It was fought from August 28 to August 30, 1862. It ended in a Confederate victory.

Background
The battle
Aftermath
Images for kids
See also

Background

Union president Abraham Lincoln formed the Army of Virginia near Washington, D.C. in July 1862. He put Major General John Pope in command of the army. Lincoln wanted Pope to attack the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee commanded the Army of Northern Virginia. He was trying to protect Richmond from another Union army on the Peninsula. The Union Army of the Potomac had just tried to capture Richmond a few weeks before but failed. Lee would be outnumbered if the two Union armies united. He moved his army north to fight Pope.

The battle

Lee planned to send Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's corps to the rear of Pope's army. He wanted to surround Pope. Jackson camped near the Bull Run on August 28, where the First Battle of Bull Run was fought in 1861. Jackson attacked part of Pope's army on August 28 but was defeated.

Pope then tried to attack Jackson on August 29 and destroy his corps. All of the Union attacks failed. Lee arrived during the evening with James Longstreet's corps.

Pope tried to attack Jackson again on August 30 but again was defeated. Lee then attacked Pope and routed the Union army.

Aftermath

There were 13,826 Union casualties in the battle. Pope retreated back to Washington. His army was combined with the Army of the Potomac. Pope was sent to Minnesota after the battle.

There were 8,353 Confederate casualties in the battle. Lee decided to invade Maryland after the battle.

Images for kids

Northeastern Virginia (1862)
Battlefield of Manassas (right side)
Action at Brawner's Farm, August 28
August 29, 10 a.m.: Sigel's attack
August 29, 12 noon: Longstreet arrives, Porter stalls
August 29, 3 p.m.: Grover's attack
August 29, 5–7 p.m., Kearny's attack, Hood vs. Hatch
Stonewall Jackson's cannons on Henry House Hill
August 30, 3 p.m., Porter's attack
August 30, 4 p.m.: Start of Longstreet's attack
August 30, 4:30 p.m.: Union defense of Chinn Ridge
August 30, 5 p.m.: Final Confederate attacks, beginning of the Union retreat
Bridge crossed by the Union troops retreating to Centreville
Soldiers stand next to a completely destroyed Henry House in 1862
Union troops retreat after the battle
Maj. Gen. John Pope, Army of Virginia (Commanding), USA
Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel (I Corps, Army of Virginia), USA
Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks (II Corps, Army of Virginia), USA
Maj. Gen. Irvin McDowell (III Corps, Army of Virginia), USA
Maj. Gen. Samuel P. Heintzelman (III Corps, Army of the Potomac), USA
Maj. Gen. Jesse L. Reno (IX Corps, Army of the Potomac), USA
Gen. Robert E. Lee, (Commanding), CSA
Maj. Gen. James Longstreet, (Right Wing), CSA
Maj. Gen. Stonewall Jackson, (Left Wing), CSA
Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, (Cavalry Division), CSA
Soldiers stand next to a completely destroyed Henry House in 1862
Virginia, Bull Run. Ruins of Stone Bridge, 1862
A group of men stand near the Manassas Railroad Junction railroad tracks in 1862 with a train in the background
A group of men near Manassas Railroad Junction in 1862
A group of men near Manassas Railroad Junction in 1862
Men sit near the Manassas Junction railroad in 1862
Picking up debris of trains after Pope's retreat
Bull Run, Va. Dedication of the battle monument; Judge Abram B. Olin of the District of Columbia Supreme Court, who delivered the address, stands by the rail.
Battle map drafted by Sneden, Robert Knox, with notes on Union and Confederate strengths, casualties, done in pen and ink and water color

Second Battle of Bull Run facts for kids

Contents

Background

The battle

Aftermath

Images for kids

See also