The Battle of Thoroughfare Gap - August 28, 1862
After skirmishing near Chapman’s Mill in Thoroughfare Gap, Brigadier General James Ricketts’s Union division was flanked by a Confederate column passing through Hopewell Gap several miles to the north and by troops securing the high ground at Thoroughfare Gap. Ricketts retired, and Longstreet’s wing of the army marched through the gap to join Jackson. This seemingly inconsequential action virtually ensured Pope’s defeat during the battles of August 29-30 because it allowed the two wings of Lee’s army to unite on the Manassas battlefield. Ricketts withdrew via Gainesville to Manassas Junction.
Much of the benefit of Ricketts successfully delaying Longstreet at Thoroughfare Gap is negated when McDowell neglected to promptly inform Major General Pope that Longstreet’s Corps had passed through the gap and was moving to support Jackson. As a result, Pope remained woefully unaware of Longstreet’s arrival on the field of battle.
The untested 88th was held held in reserve.
Much of the benefit of Ricketts successfully delaying Longstreet at Thoroughfare Gap is negated when McDowell neglected to promptly inform Major General Pope that Longstreet’s Corps had passed through the gap and was moving to support Jackson. As a result, Pope remained woefully unaware of Longstreet’s arrival on the field of battle.
The untested 88th was held held in reserve.
Thoroughfare Gap, A Pass in the Mountains on Manassas Gap near Strasburg, Virginia Source: Mottlelay, Paul F. and T. Campbell-Copeland, eds. The Soldier in Our Civil War. New York: Stanley Bradley Publishing Company, 1885
Thursday, August 28th 1862
Hot and dusty. resumed the line of march at daylight. Marched daylight to Haymarket, a
small country town, and leaving our knapsacks there, marched out to Thorofare
Gap. Longstreet was trying to get through here to join Jackson, who is now at
Manassas Junction, and kicking up the devil generally among the Union Army's
stores.
We had a brisk fight of 1/2 an hour's duration here, a succeeded in keeping the enemy in check. This is my 3d battle. At dark we marched back to Haymarket and taking our knapsacks, still went marching on. Halted at Gainesville at Midnight. Made about 22 miles. I got separated from the Company, but laid down along the fence while the troops
bivouacked in an adjoining field
Private John
Vautier, Co. I, 88th PVI
Hot and dusty. resumed the line of march at daylight. Marched daylight to Haymarket, a
small country town, and leaving our knapsacks there, marched out to Thorofare
Gap. Longstreet was trying to get through here to join Jackson, who is now at
Manassas Junction, and kicking up the devil generally among the Union Army's
stores.
We had a brisk fight of 1/2 an hour's duration here, a succeeded in keeping the enemy in check. This is my 3d battle. At dark we marched back to Haymarket and taking our knapsacks, still went marching on. Halted at Gainesville at Midnight. Made about 22 miles. I got separated from the Company, but laid down along the fence while the troops
bivouacked in an adjoining field
Private John
Vautier, Co. I, 88th PVI
"View of the town of Centreville, Va., with the battlefield of Bull Run, Bull Run Mountains, Thoroughfare Gap, and the Blue Ridge in the distance. An undying interest centres around the field of Bull Run, so often the scene of battle, skirmish and military operations. The ground dyed with the blood of so many thousand American soldiers, where some of the mightiest armies have met in deadly strife, will long show, in its broken outlines, in its ruined dwellings, in its grass-grown earthworks, and in its sadder graves and unburied remains of
mortality, the traces of war. We give a view of Centreville, with a battery of the Third Connecticut Heavy Artillery in the foreground, their caissons and shelter tents beside the grassy mound that marks the intrenchments thrown up by the Confederates in the fall and winter of 1861. The village of Centreville lies to the right, the battle ground of Bull Run lies beyond the last two houses on the right, and still further in the background are the Bull Run Mountains, divided opposite the last house by Thoroughfare Gap, and in the remote distance looms up the Blue Ridge."— Frank Leslie, 1896
mortality, the traces of war. We give a view of Centreville, with a battery of the Third Connecticut Heavy Artillery in the foreground, their caissons and shelter tents beside the grassy mound that marks the intrenchments thrown up by the Confederates in the fall and winter of 1861. The village of Centreville lies to the right, the battle ground of Bull Run lies beyond the last two houses on the right, and still further in the background are the Bull Run Mountains, divided opposite the last house by Thoroughfare Gap, and in the remote distance looms up the Blue Ridge."— Frank Leslie, 1896
Forces Engaged: Union - 5000 Confederate - 28,000
Total Casualties: 100
The Battle of Thoroughfare Gap was a Confederate Victory
Total Casualties: 100
The Battle of Thoroughfare Gap was a Confederate Victory
The Battle of Thoroughfare Gap - Civil War Trust
At Thoroughfare Gap with Bud Hall - Civil War Trust Video
(source: Civil War Trust )
(source: The Campfire Chronicles, The Words and Deeds of the 88th Pennsylvania, by Major Michael N. Ayoub)