1st Manassas 140th Event Is Aug. 3-5
LEESBURG, Va. - The 140th anniversary of the First Battle of
Manassas will be marked with one of the largest Civil War reenactments
ever staged in Virginia. An estimated 10,000 reenactors are
expected to participate in the three-day living history event
from Aug. 3-5 on the 600-acre Locust Hill Farm near Leesburg,
half an hour from the original battlefield.
The event sponsor is the world's largest publisher of history-related
magazines, the History Group of PRIMEDIA Inc. (NYSE:PRM), which
is headquartered in Leesburg.
Editors and experts affiliated with Civil War Times Illustrated,
America's Civil War, American History, Military History
magazines and MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History
are collaborating with leaders in the Civil War reenactment
and preservation communities to stage the most elaborate and
authentic re-creation of the First Manassas battle ever attempted.
"One hundred and forty years after this legendary battle,
people will have the opportunity to witness the closest approximation
ever attempted of what it was really like on the battlefield
of Manassas in 1861," said event organizer Dean Regan.
The event will include large-scale battle reenactments, a full
slate of educational activities, and lectures and appearances
by noted historians, authors and artists. Scheduled throughout
the weekend will be military and civilian-life exhibits. In
cooperation with Civil War preservation groups, PRIMEDIA will
donate a portion of the event proceeds to battlefield preservation
efforts. Information, including reenactor registration, ticket
information, and historical background, is available on the
Internet at www.FirstManassas.com.
Leesburg is the Loudoun County seat of government, situated
15 miles west of Dulles International Airport. It has been named
one of the best preserved, most picturesque communities in Virginia
by the National Register of Historic Places. More information
is available at www.1eesburgva.org or www.visitloudoun.org.
The July 21, 1861, first battle of Manassas/Bull Run pitted
35,000 Union troops against 33,000 Confederates.
Washington, D.C., residents took their picnics into the Virginia
countryside to watch the Union victory which turned into a rout
as Confederate reinforcements, including Brig. Gen. Thomas J.
Jackson's Virginia brigade, arrived. There were almost 5000
casualties that day.
