Vision of Victory
As Pope saw it, the battle was almost won. Stonewall Jackson was the only foe he faced here, and Jackson was retreating after the fight at Brawner Farm. Now the Federals could crush the outnumbered Rebels.
Tactical realities were a bit different. Instead of "retreating," Jackson's troops had taken position along the ditches and high embankments of the Unfinished Railroad. By noon on the 29th, Maj. Gen. James Longstreet and 28,000 men - the rest of the Confederate Army - had marched from Thoroughfare Gap to within two miles of Pope's headquarters. Pope, however, seemed to ignore all evidence that did not fit his vision of total victory.
During the next thirty-six hours Pope's overconfidence almost destroyed the Union Army.
Marker can be reached from Sudley Road (State Road 234) ½ mile north of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling north.
Courtesy hmdb.org
