My job recently offered leadership training focused on the Battle of First Manassas. I had attended a similar training by touring Gettysburg a few years back and really enjoyed it so I hoped on the opportunity to go to this one. I live only ten minutes from the Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitors Center and know shamefully little about either battle proportionate to my interest in history so I was glad to have a chance to rectify the situation! The weather was a high of 83 degrees and was perfectly cool in the morning for our tour. This was really appreciated as I logged 4.5 miles of walking!

One of the most iconic images of the Battle of First Manassas is the stone bridge crossing Bull Run Creek. I was very interested to learn about Confederate Army Colonel Nathan “Shanks” Evans who defended the bridge from the lackluster Union assault. Taking it upon himself to redeploy the majority of his force from this assigned post on Bull Run Creek is an example of successful leadership and quick decision making for sure!

My partner and I used to spend quite a few working hours at the Matthews Hill parking lot, and my wife and I have hiked the path a few times but I really learned about it on this tour. I never understood why the lines were so close together, and why the cannon were so far forward but having the guide explain the reason to me made a lot more sense than just looking at the lines. The generals had yet to adapt to the new rifled muskets present on the field of battle so they rolled the cannons up closer than they would later in the war.

Of course we visited the Stone House which was used as a field hospital. That hill is an important memory in the Wachtmeister family lore. When I worked overnights my wife would take our five year old boys and make them run up and down the hill while I was sleeping during the day. I got tired just looking at it!

We also went to the Visitors Center but didn’t stop for more than a restroom break as we had more of the tour ahead of us! We checked out the Henry house and then headed over to Chinn Ridge. The views were great and we learned more about the battle and leadership lessons.

I am certainly grateful for the opportunity to take a tour like this, I hope I get the chance again!

-Wachtmeister