Battle of Cattle Run

On August 25 - 26, three divisions of Jackson went to the rear of the federal army and on the evening of August 26 they made a raid on Manassas station . Jackson sent two divisions directly to Manassas, and sent Richard Ewell to the south, where Ewell captured Bristo station and destroyed several federal trains. Early on the morning of August 27, Hooker sent the 72nd New York Infantry Regiment to Bristo Station for reconnaissance. The commander of the regiment, Captain Harman Bliss reported that he found large enemy forces near the station and retreated without taking the fight ^[1] .

The appearance of the New York regiment disturbed General Ewell and he began preparations. He deployed two brigades — Lawton and Forno — at the station front to the west, while Forno sent the 6th and 8th Louisiana posts across the Cattle Run river to watch the enemy and, if he appeared, retreat, destroying the bridge over the river. At the same time, Ewell told Jackson that the enemy was preparing an offensive and asked him what to do if the massive offensive really began ^[1] .

Around noon, a federal division appeared - it was marching from Warrenton along the Orange-Alexandria railway line. Ahead was a brigade of Joseph Carr. The Louisiana regiments set fire to the bridge and retreated a little back, and the 60th Georgian regiment joined them to the left - and three regiments waited for the approach of the feds. Simultaneously, divisional artillery opened fire.

Hooker sent three regiments from Carr’s brigade along the railway line, while he himself headed two other poles and went with them to the left, hoping to bypass the enemy’s flank. Behind and to the left of Carr, Colonel Nelson Taylor's Excelsior Brigade turned into a line. The right flank of the division was occupied by a brigade of Kavier Grove. Hooker's division numbered about 5,000 men, but his men were weary of marches, they had very few guns, and many officers lacked horses.

When the three Carr regiments went into the frontal attack, the Louisians let them in 60 meters, and then gave a barrier, and at the same time the artillery began shelling the canister. Ewell sent the 5th Louisiana Regiment to the aid of the first two, while the 60th Georgian advanced, turned around and opened flank fire on the upcoming federal line. The federal regiments were in a difficult position, but Nelson's brigade came to the rescue - two regiments stood to the left of the Carr regiments, and two to the right, with the front to the 60th Georgian.

The battle lasted about an hour. At 4:00 pm, Ewell realized that he was in a difficult position, but he did not dare to retreat without a direct order from Jackson. However, the messenger soon returned from Jackson - Ewell was allowed to retreat to Manassas, in case the enemy forces were serious. Ewell ordered a retreat. First went to Lawton's brigade. The Forno Brigade and the 60th Georgian Regiment were linked by combat, but also began to retreat, firing. The federal units began to pursue them, but soon stopped. Jubal Airlie's brigade shifted slightly to the left and began to restrain the enemy, giving the division time to move a safe distance. The retreat passed without panic, and practically nothing of value remained on the battlefield ^[2] .

Historians Hennessey and Chicks call Ewell’s actions in the Battle of Cattle Run "flawless". He managed to pat the head of the federal column and hold out for as long as possible. He slowed down the federal offensive on Manassas and allowed Jackson to act strictly on schedule. Northerners have lost about 300 people killed and wounded - the 73rd New York, who lost half of its composition, was particularly affected ^[2] .

General Pope already at 15:00 learned about the events on Cattle Run and personally appeared on the battlefield. He found the division of Hooker exhausted by the battle, and spent almost all the ammunition - in the division there were three cartridges per barrel. However, he realized that Jackson was already close and was ready to move swiftly to destroy it.

The battle on Cattle Run has shown Jackson that the enemy is near, and is attacking with all his strength. Having no desire to hold on to Manassas, he ordered on the night of August 28 to retreat west to Groveton. This maneuver will eventually lead to the second battle of Bul Run and the defeat of the federal army.

• Cheeks, Robert C. "Ewell's Flawless Performance at Kettle Run", in America's Civil War, Volume 13, Number 5 (Number 2000).
• Pfanz, Donald C. Richard S. Ewell: A Soldier's Life. - Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1998. - 655 p. - ISBN 978-0-8078-2389-7 .
• Hennessy, John J. Return to the Bull Run: The Campaign and the Battle of Second Manassas. - University of Oklahoma Press, 1993. - 607 p. - ISBN 0-8061-3187-X .

• Yankee Ineptitude Saves the Rebel Army from Destruction
• Brief description of the battle
• Report of Jackson for August 15 - September 5