Never Such a Campaign: The Battle of Second Manassas, August 28–August 30, 1862

Emerging Civil War

by Dan Welch, Kevin R. Pawlak

In late June 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia drove back Maj. Gen. George McClellan’s Army of the Potomac from the gates of the Confederate capital. Richmond was safe—at least for the moment. Another threat soon emerged when the Army of Virginia, a new command under Maj. Gen. John Pope, moved toward Fredericksburg, threatening Confederate communications, supply points, and Richmond. Pope, who had a reputation as something of a braggart, had scored victories along the Mississippi River at New Madrid and Island No. 10. President Lincoln was hopeful he would replicate that success in Virginia. Pope brought with him a harder philosophy of war, one that would put pressure not just on Lee’s army but on the population of Virginia. Alarmed and offended by “such a miscreant as Pope,” Lee began moving part of his army north to counter and “suppress” the threat. In Never Such a The Battle of Second Manassas, August 28–30, 1862, historians Dan Welch and Kevin R. Pawlak follow Lee and Pope as they converge on ground bloodied just thirteen months earlier at First Bull Run (Manassas). Since then, the armies had grown in both size and efficiency, and any pitched combat between them promised to dwarf the earlier battle. For the second summer in a row, Union and Confederate forces clashed on the plains of Manassas. This time, the results would be far more terrible.

Genres: Civil War

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2023

Reviews

[Paul P. Marcone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding overview of a long overlooked but significant campaign in the American Civil War. A serious student of that war cannot fully understand the Maryland Campaign without a clear understanding of the Second Manassas Campaign. This book provides a good introduction and summary of that campaign.

I especially appreciate the driving tour at the end of the book.

This volume should be on the shelf or digital library of any serious student of the American Civil War.

[Eric Burroughs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good account of Second Manassas for those that don’t want to commit to Hennessy’s book.

[robin friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Manassas In The Emerging Civil War Series

The Emerging Civil War Series (ECW) aims to offer "compelling, easy-to-read overviews of some of the Civil War's most important battles and stories". The books in the ECW are short, include maps and images, and are designed for readers and students who are not necessarily specialists in the vast Civil War literature.

This book in the series, "Never Such a Campaign" considers the Battle of Second Manassas of August 28-30, 1862. As the title suggests, it discusses as well the Manassas campaign from roughly the beginning of August, 1862 and the aftermath of the Battle. Second Manassas was a resounding victory for the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and its commander, General Robert E. Lee. The authors of this book, Dan Welch nd Keven R. Pawlak have backgrounds as Park Rangers and each has authored or co-authored several books in the ECW series. The book also includes a Foreword by John J. Hennessy, a historian who has written extensively on Second Manassas. Hennessy praises this book, stating: "Second Manassas is a vivid window on war expanding and changing, and Kevin Pawlak and Dan Welch have done the campaign, the battle, and the men who waged it noble justice in writing this book."

The book works to put the confusing events of the Second Manassas campaign in context. The story begins after General Lee had thwarted Union General George McClellan's efforts to capture Richmond. While Lee and McClellan faced each other, President Lincoln brought in a general from the West, John Pope, and created an army for him. Broadly, Pope and McClellan were to combine their forces and attempt to move again on Richmond. When McLellan moved towards Pope, Lee divided his forces and sent Stonewall Jackson to fight Pope's army, the Army of Virginia. This led to a great deal of maneuvering between Lee and Pope and ultimately to the three-day Battle of Second Manassas itself in which Pope over-extended himself in an attempt to destroy Jackson. Meanwhile the other wing of the Confederate army under the leadership of James Longstreet, crashed into the battle on the afternoon of August 30, almost destroying the Union Army which made a near escape back to Washington, D.C. at the beginning of September.

The book tells the story with some detail in its short scope. It gives the reader a feel for the complexity of the situation and for the many participants. The book fulfills the goal of the ECW series in offering a good account of the battle and its issues for non-specialists. In places it becomes confusing, not through the fault of the writing but through the complexity of the events and maneuvering it recounts. Readers coming to this book unprepared may find it heavy going. The book includes many maps which enhance the text and make it easier to follow. The four Appendices to the book are useful and help in the understanding of the text. One of the Appendices offers a driving tour of the Battlefield. The book includes an Order of Battle for the Army of Northern Virginia and for the two Union armies: the Army of the Potomac and the Army of Virginia as well as a brief bibliography for readers wanting to learn more.

In short, this book is a solid study of the Second Manassas campaign which is dense but informative and worthwhile. I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

Robin Friedman

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Battle of Second Manassas aka Battle of Second Bull Run is an overlooked campaign. When people think of battle of the Civil War, this is one that does not make people's list, but this was a brutal battle that is number nine on the costliest battles of the Civil War. In fact, you cannot find many books about this battle. Fortunately for us, Dan Welch wrote this fantastic, succinct, and readable book.

The book covers the lead up to the Battle of Second Bull Run, then covers the battle, and provides information about visiting the sites like the other Emerging Civil War books do. Modern day photos are provided to show us what took place there in 1862. I have visited Manassas National Battlefield Park several times, so I was familiar with those places, but the other places mentioned in this book I have not had the privilege to visit, so I am looking forward to using this book in the future to explore some of these locations.

There are also book recommendations at the end of the book if you would like to read more about Second Bull Run. I personally recommend reading John Hennessey's amazing book about the campaign if you would like more detail. There are also articles online I recommend about the fighting at Brawner's Farm and Cuvier Grover's attack on Jackson's like on August 29th.

Dan Welch's book is the perfect starter book for the Battle of Second Bull Run.

[W Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all the titles in this series by Emerging Civil War, this is first rate. If looking for a great introduction to the Second Manassas Campaign, this is for you. As always it is well illustrated with good maps and a book list if you choose to make a deeper dive into this topic. I highly recommend it.