I took my son on a Civil War road trip in 1991. Got to Manassas 3 days short of the 130th anniversary of First Bull Run. It was 99 degrees and 101% humidity ( or so it felt). By all accounts I've read similar to the conditions on the day of the battle. We were dressed in shorts and t-shirts and carrying a camera and we were dying. Looking at the terrain, soft rolling ridges and hills, and trying to imagine wearing a wool uniform, carrying a 50-lb pack and a 10 pound rifle/bayonet and fighting a battle it was no wonder that the Union army collapsed.
Manassas itself reminded me of every other suburb in the country.
Manassas itself reminded me of every other suburb in the country.
