Second Manassas: Longstreet's Attack and the Struggle for Chinn Ridge

by Scott C. Patchan, John J. Hennessy (Foreword)

In 1862, looking for an opportunity to attack Union general John Pope, Confederate general Robert E. Lee ordered Maj. Gen. James Longstreet to conduct a reconnaissance and possible assault on the Chinn Ridge front in Northern Virginia. At the time Longstreet launched his attack, only a handful of Union troops stood between Robert E. Lee and Gen. John Pope’s Army of Virginia. Northern Virginia’s rolling terrain and Bull Run also provided Lee with a unique opportunity seldom seen during the entire Civil War—that of "bagging" an army, an elusive feat keenly desired by political leaders of both sides. Second Longstreet’s Attack and the Struggle for Chinn Ridge details the story of Longstreet and his men’s efforts to obtain the ultimate victory that Lee desperately sought. At the same time, this account tells of the Union soldiers who, despite poor leadership and lack of support from Pope and his senior officers, bravely battled Longstreet and saved their army from destruction along the banks of Bull Run. Longstreet’s men were able to push the Union forces back, but only after they had purchased enough time for the Union army to retreat in good order. Although Lee did not achieve a decisive victory, his success at Chinn Ridge allowed him to carry the war north of the Potomac River, thus setting the stage for his Maryland Campaign. Within three weeks, the armies would meet again along the banks of Antietam Creek in western Maryland. Uncovering new sources, Scott Patchan gives a vivid picture of the battleground and a fresh perspective that sharpens the detail and removes the guesswork found in previous works dealing with the climactic clash at Second Manassas.

Genres: Civil War

214 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mark Harden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great battle book at the micro level from Scott Patchan. This concise volume (126 pages of basic text) covers only Longstreet’s flank attack on the second day of the battle of Second Manassas. The detail is amazing, the research impeccable, the narrative riveting. I was very surprised to learn how poorly coordinated Longstreet’s assault actually was, and how fiercely the Union troops defended before giving way. I had always pictured a massive wave of Confederates sweeping everything before it. Not so.

One star off for the maps, though, which are nearly illegible and very disappointing. Ironic since Patchan’s maps for his Last Battle of Winchester (done by Hal Jesperson) were so wonderful.

Patchan includes an appendix with the best battle walking tour I have yet seen, not just points of reference but detailed description of exactly what happened where you are looking (“and now turn around and see where Milroy’s men counterattacked...”)

[Seth J. Vogelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the maps are lacking, this is a book only for the serious student of the Battle. One only needs Hennessey's map study to find better maps.

I was most interested in the 29th NY and the death of Col. Kotes. If there are any descendants out there please be in touch.

[W Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent examination of Longstreet’s attack at 2nd Manassas. Patchan provides new insights into theFederal response to that assault and why the attack failed to achieve complete success.

[Josh Liller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book focused on the last few hours of Second Manassas (Second Bull Run): Longstreet's devastating attack on Pope's left, particularly the delaying actions at Chinn Ridge and Henry House Hill that saved the Union army.

The book's appendixes include an order of battle and a tour guide of this portion of the battlefield.

John Hennessy (author of the excellent Return to Bull Run: The Campaign and Battle of Second Manassas) provides an introduction, which is about as good a stamp of approval a book on this subject can get.

Several maps are included. I liked that they were topographic, but they are also black & white and I found them somewhat difficult to read.

I was a little disappointed Patchan doesn't spend any time discussing Longstreet's non-attack on the 29th, getting to the launching of his attack on the 30th (after Porter's failed attack on Jackson) by seemingly as few pages as possible.

The topic is narrow (hence the short page count), but it's a tightly focused and well-written book that builds on Hennessy's work.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 hours of hell on earth. 30 AUG 1862 - northern Virginia. TheConfederates under Robert E Lee slam into John Pope's Union Army.
Wonderful use of primary source material - fast paced. Great details.
Plus a good recap and summary of what went wrong (and right) for both sides.
Only one minor problem - most of the maps (and there is a good number of them) are hard to read.
Glad I bought this and look forward to the 150th reenactment thus summer.
Pvt Jenkins, Co, A, 3rd Arkansas, Army of Northern Virginia