Through a Soldier's Eyes
Through A Soldier’s Eyes
It is August 25, 1862. We have been marching for two days now, 50 miles they say, attempting to maneuver around the Union flank. We are a ways south of the city, near the Rappahannock River where the Yankees have made camp. They are led by general Pope, I think is his name. General Lee says it should be an easy victory, if we can defeat them before McClellan’s Army joins Pope’s. He said it should scare the Yankees away from Richmond once and for all. But not all of the soldiers are with us. In fact, most of them are still with General Jackson near Manassas. There has been word that Jackson’s forces seized a large Union supply of food. If only I had stayed with the rest of the forces. Many of the men regret following Lee around the flank upon hearing the news of such abundant food supplies. Rations are running low and we are all hungry. But that is beside the point, I guess most armies are feeling hunger pangs. Jackson’s army has hidden themselves in the woods near the location where the Battle of Bull Run occurred.
There has been word of skirmishes with Jackson’s army; that Pope has moved troops towards Manassas to attack his forces. Whether this is true or not, I have yet to hear, although I believe that it is entirely too likely. Lee is leading us back towards Jackson now, Pope’s northern advances, although General Lee call it a retreat, have evaded the trap Lee intended when we began this trek. We have rounded the flank of the Union forces and are marching northward again, back towards Jackson’s army. If Pope does launch an attack we will be ready to defend Jackson and his forces from behind, if Pope does not, we shall attack with Jackson’s aid and put the Yankees out of their misery.
We have reached the Yankee flank and circled around, waiting for General Lee’s command. It is nights like these that bother me the most.
It is August 25, 1862. We have been marching for two days now, 50 miles they say, attempting to maneuver around the Union flank. We are a ways south of the city, near the Rappahannock River where the Yankees have made camp. They are led by general Pope, I think is his name. General Lee says it should be an easy victory, if we can defeat them before McClellan’s Army joins Pope’s. He said it should scare the Yankees away from Richmond once and for all. But not all of the soldiers are with us. In fact, most of them are still with General Jackson near Manassas. There has been word that Jackson’s forces seized a large Union supply of food. If only I had stayed with the rest of the forces. Many of the men regret following Lee around the flank upon hearing the news of such abundant food supplies. Rations are running low and we are all hungry. But that is beside the point, I guess most armies are feeling hunger pangs. Jackson’s army has hidden themselves in the woods near the location where the Battle of Bull Run occurred.
There has been word of skirmishes with Jackson’s army; that Pope has moved troops towards Manassas to attack his forces. Whether this is true or not, I have yet to hear, although I believe that it is entirely too likely. Lee is leading us back towards Jackson now, Pope’s northern advances, although General Lee call it a retreat, have evaded the trap Lee intended when we began this trek. We have rounded the flank of the Union forces and are marching northward again, back towards Jackson’s army. If Pope does launch an attack we will be ready to defend Jackson and his forces from behind, if Pope does not, we shall attack with Jackson’s aid and put the Yankees out of their misery.
We have reached the Yankee flank and circled around, waiting for General Lee’s command. It is nights like these that bother me the most.
Bibliography: "American Experience: TV 's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, 2013. Web. 02 May 2014. . "Civil War Battle of Second Manassas." Civil War Battle of Second Manassas. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2014. . "Philadelphia Poxes and Plagues." Philadelphia Poxes and Plagues. University Archives and Special Collections, n.d. Web. 03 May 2014. . Pohanka, Brian C. "Second Battle Of Bull Run." History Net: Where History Comes Alive. Historynet, 2002. Web. 03 May 2014. . "Second Battle of Bull Run." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. . "Second Manassas." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 01 May 2014. . United States. National Park Service. "Battle Summary: Manassas, Second, VA." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .