Opening Manassas: The Iron Brigade, Stonewall Jackson, and the Battle on Brawner’s Farm, August 28, 1862

by Lance J. Herdegen, Bill Backus

In the fading light of August 28, 1862, an untested Union brigade of Wisconsin and Indiana men fought an unexpected 90-minute stand-up clash with the Confederate veterans of Stonewall Jackson on the Virginia farm fields of John Brawner. The Rebels recalled a Wisconsin man that day “yelling like demons [in] a roaring hell of fire.” Despite its fascinating origins and far-reaching consequences, surprisingly little has been penned about this remarkable engagement. Opening The Iron Brigade, Stonewall Jackson, and the Battle on Brawner’s Farm, August 28, 1862, rectifies this oversight in the first full-length balanced study of the affair ever published.

In August 1862, Robert E. Lee struck north to carry the war away from Richmond. His opponent at the head of the recently constructed Army of Virginia, Maj. Gen. John Pope, was new to the theater and had just suffered a bloody awakening at Cedar Mountain on August 9. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s wing marched first, swinging behind Pope and destroying the massive Union supply depot at Manassas Junction. The stunning move shocked the Union high command. Pope withdrew from his defensive line along the Rappahannock determined to find and eradicate the Confederates. First he had to find them. Unbeknownst to Pope, Jackson had deployed his men in a strong wooded defensive position along an abandoned railroad cut. All Old Jack needed was a reason to sally forth and strike an unsuspecting piece of Pope’s scattered army. That opportunity presented itself on the afternoon of August 28 when the Western men, soon to be known as the Iron Brigade, marched along the Warrenton Pike, unaware that danger lurked just yards away off their exposed left flank.

One battle, two authors. This unique study uses a fog-of-war approach to unfold the battle as the soldiers of both sides would have experienced it, and how the various officers reacted with only the information they had at the time. Award-winning author Lance J. Herdegen handles the Union side of the equation, while preservation historian and veteran of the National Park Service, Bill Backus, chronicles the Confederate perspective. Together, chapter by chapter, they march their respective forces to the point of destiny and discover unexpected insights into the engagement and the leadership decisions of both sides. The affair was a rude baptism of blood for Western Union men, while the bold thrust by Jackson revealed his location and put his entire command in serious peril.

Opening Manassas is based on primary source material and a complete understanding of the terrain. Its unique dual-author and fog-of-war approach, together with its original maps and explanatory notes, makes it a must-have book for students of the Civil War.

Genres: Civil War

411 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2025

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening Manassas by Lance Herdegen and Bill Backus tells the story of the fighting on Brawner's Farm during the Battle of Second Bull Run/Manassas between the Iron Brigade and Stonewall Jackson's men. What makes this book interesting is each author writes about the two sides that took part in the battle. Herdegen writes about the Union perspective whereas Backus writes the Confederate view. Herdegen has written about the Iron Brigade before, so he is an expert on this topic. Backus worked for the National Park Service and is currently the Curator for the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation.

The book begins with the background of the men who will fight on Brawner's Farm on August 28, 1862. Then, the opening of the campaign and the evening battle on August 28.

I thought the book was decent, but I have heard a lot of the information provided before. For example, Jackson's performance is criticized by Backus and deservingly so. However, it is in John Hennessy's book and a park ranger explained this to me on a Brawner Farm program.

I also thought the idea of each author covering a different side was a unique perspective and original. Herdegen and Backus did well playing off each other to put this book together. I also appreciate them covering the Second Bull Run/Campaign because that does not get a lot of coverage like Gettysburg, Antietam and other Civil War battles. The book is also readable and not overly detailed.

As the title implies, it does not cover the entirety of the Second Bull Run/Manassas Campaign, therefore, I recommend John Hennessy's book for that. If you have not read Hennessy's book, I recommend starting with Herdegen and Backus' book first to get an idea about the opening of the battle and then read Hennessy's book.

[W Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Herdegen and Backus provide an excellent history of the fighting at Brawner’s Farm which opened the Second Battle of Manassas in 1862. What truly makes this volume unique is the perspective the authors took in presenting this story. They did so by trying to take the reader into the “fog of war.” Readers are presented with the information the opposing commanders knew at the time. They then add information as the commander becomes aware. It is both informative and interesting. It is well worth reading.