The Eighty-Eighth at the Battle of Second Bull Run - Chinn Ridge
Infantry Fighting on Chinn Ridge by Edwin Forbes - Library of Congress
The Battle of Second Bull Run/Manassas was fought on August 28-30, 1862 in Manassas, Virginia and was the 88th's first major engagement.
During the battle, the 88th suffered 29 killed, 65 wounded and as many as 106 soldiers missing in action. It was the highest number of soldiers killed in any one battle during the Civil War. Company C & D were the hardest hit with each suffering 8 soldiers killed during the battle.
During the battle, the 88th suffered 29 killed, 65 wounded and as many as 106 soldiers missing in action. It was the highest number of soldiers killed in any one battle during the Civil War. Company C & D were the hardest hit with each suffering 8 soldiers killed during the battle.
The 88th at the time was part of the Second Brigade, Second Division, 3rd Corps of the Army of Virginia commanded by Major General John Pope.
The Second Brigade which was made up of the 88th PA, 90th PA, 94th NY and 26th NY was commanded by Brigadier General Zealous B. Tower with the 88th PA under the direct command of Lt. Col. Joseph McLean.
The Second Brigade which was made up of the 88th PA, 90th PA, 94th NY and 26th NY was commanded by Brigadier General Zealous B. Tower with the 88th PA under the direct command of Lt. Col. Joseph McLean.
Briadier General Zealous Bate Tower
The Civil War Trust - Chinn Ridge
On August 30, 1862, Tower's Brigade was placed south of the old Stone House when they received orders to protect the Union left flank and moved to Chinn Ridge in an effort to slow the advancing Confederate forces of General Longstreet's Corps.
At approximately 4:30PM, Tower's Brigade moved forward with the 88th in the lead. The brigade crossed the Warrenton Turnpike and down Sudley Ford Road before moving cross country toward Chinn Ridge.
As the 88th moved into positon, Longstreet's troops were engaged with the Ohio Brigade as Union Zouaves of the 5th & 10th NY moved past Tower's troops towards the rear.
At 5:00PM Tower's Brigade advanced onto the battle area at the double quick being supported by Stile's Brigade, Company K of the 88th, commanded by Captain Sylvester S. Bookhamer arrived on the battlefield first. Of the ten Company Commanders (or acting Company Commanders) of the 88th, three (Companies D, I & K) were wounded and one (Company C) killed at 2nd Bull Run.
At approximately 4:30PM, Tower's Brigade moved forward with the 88th in the lead. The brigade crossed the Warrenton Turnpike and down Sudley Ford Road before moving cross country toward Chinn Ridge.
As the 88th moved into positon, Longstreet's troops were engaged with the Ohio Brigade as Union Zouaves of the 5th & 10th NY moved past Tower's troops towards the rear.
At 5:00PM Tower's Brigade advanced onto the battle area at the double quick being supported by Stile's Brigade, Company K of the 88th, commanded by Captain Sylvester S. Bookhamer arrived on the battlefield first. Of the ten Company Commanders (or acting Company Commanders) of the 88th, three (Companies D, I & K) were wounded and one (Company C) killed at 2nd Bull Run.
Historian and Civil War Author Scott Patchan Discussed the Fight For Chinn Ridge. in his book:
"Second Manassas: Longstreet’s Attack and the Struggle for Chinn Ridge" ,
Patchan also discusses the fight for Chinn Ridge in this series of videos from the Civil War Trust.
Chinn Ridge - Part 1
Chinn RIdge - Part 2
Chinn Ridge - Conclusion
"Second Manassas: Longstreet’s Attack and the Struggle for Chinn Ridge" ,
Patchan also discusses the fight for Chinn Ridge in this series of videos from the Civil War Trust.
Chinn Ridge - Part 1
Chinn RIdge - Part 2
Chinn Ridge - Conclusion
During the fighting on Chinn Ridge, Lt Col. Joseph McLean while imploring his men to stand fast was struck and knocked from his saddle, his men rescuing him as his horse bolts and begins to drag him. While soldiers of the 88th and an Ohio regiment carry Lt. Col. Joe from this field, he was wounded a second time and he implored the soldiers to leave him and save themselves
Following the death of Lt. Col. McLean, Major George Gile assummed command of the 88th.
The delaying action fought by Tower's and Stiles's Brigades among others proved succesful in buying time for General Pope and the Pennsylvania Reserves of General John Reynold's Division to organize defenses on Henry's Hill.
General Tower was wounded in action and his brigade suffered 66 killed, 338 wounded and 292 missing for a total of 696 soldiers.
Killed or Mortally wounded from the 88th:
Killed or mortally wounded (MW):
Lieutenant Colonel J. McLean, commanding 88th Pennsylvania
Company B: Private Samuel Longmire
Company C: Captain John Belsterling, Corporal Harry Austin, Corporal Patrick Blaney (MW), Privates Thomas Dixon (MW), Lewis Jones, William Maddis (MW), Private James Rodgers
Company D: Privates Thomas Davidson, John Davidson, Michael Gannon (MW), Privates William Heddinger, William Lauer (MW), Thomas McConnel (MW), Privates William McClintock, Adam Wagner
Company F: Corporal George Schaffer, Privates John Betzold, Charles Naher.
Company G: Private Charles Canovan (MW)
Company H: Privates Frederick Ferner, Lewis Humma (MW), John Krebs, Mark Ringler
Company I: Corporal Robert Jones, Private Joseph Rutherford
Company K: Sergeant Albert Van Dyke, Private Simon Hardinger (MW)
The delaying action fought by Tower's and Stiles's Brigades among others proved succesful in buying time for General Pope and the Pennsylvania Reserves of General John Reynold's Division to organize defenses on Henry's Hill.
General Tower was wounded in action and his brigade suffered 66 killed, 338 wounded and 292 missing for a total of 696 soldiers.
Killed or Mortally wounded from the 88th:
Killed or mortally wounded (MW):
Lieutenant Colonel J. McLean, commanding 88th Pennsylvania
Company B: Private Samuel Longmire
Company C: Captain John Belsterling, Corporal Harry Austin, Corporal Patrick Blaney (MW), Privates Thomas Dixon (MW), Lewis Jones, William Maddis (MW), Private James Rodgers
Company D: Privates Thomas Davidson, John Davidson, Michael Gannon (MW), Privates William Heddinger, William Lauer (MW), Thomas McConnel (MW), Privates William McClintock, Adam Wagner
Company F: Corporal George Schaffer, Privates John Betzold, Charles Naher.
Company G: Private Charles Canovan (MW)
Company H: Privates Frederick Ferner, Lewis Humma (MW), John Krebs, Mark Ringler
Company I: Corporal Robert Jones, Private Joseph Rutherford
Company K: Sergeant Albert Van Dyke, Private Simon Hardinger (MW)
Ancestors of our Descendants Group, Killed, Wounded or Captured at 2nd Bull Run / Manassas include:
- Lt. Col. Joseph McLean - Killed
- Private Charles Naher, Co. F - Killed
- Private William Mattis, Co. C - Mortally Wounded
- Corporal Robert Jones, Co. I - Killed
- Captain Charles McKnight, Co. K - Wounded
- Lt. Robert Herron, Co. C - Wounded
- Private Henry P. Reif, Co. B - Wounded
- Private Barnett Hagan, Co. A - Wounded and Captured
- Private George W. Leader, Co. B - Captured
- Private Joseph H. Preston, Co. G - Wounded
- Captain Jacob S. Stretch, Co. I - Wounded
- Captain Sylvester Seymour Bookhammer - Wounded
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