Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-09-06
HnffIenela of Nganassas.

SGEt1elicESs Oh -E52E2SS2S.
On August 12sh. by arrlngemeu offliends
in Prince William aud FaiffaE aouuties we
we're at Sudley church, near tbo line be
tween the above counties o. .aat day, in
the morning. very able aermoo was
preached by Rev. Dr.. Rogefs, P E ofthe
Methodist church OF The Alexandra district,
aud in the afternoon m!ssi2pary meoiiug &
was held, on which occasion your cores
pondent waa the speaker This church i
near the place where the feGerai i3rcfs were
INST by The Confederates, under Gen Evans,
Oh Sunday morning. July 81, 1861, ihe DAY
Of the memorable first battle Of Manassas.
| Long had il been our wish to visit this
historic field, and with our own egfs ooK
upon the ground over which twice rolled The
surge OF battle. This long cherished desire
was at last gratilied through Inc kindness OF
II. j. Ayers, esq, living short disiaace
from this church, aud whose hospitality va
enjoyed while in Fairfax county
On Monday morning after having treated
Us TO 3 most exhiarating rido on horsehack
owe. a part of hs beautiful farm, skirted on
the east and the aouth by ths low classic
Bull Run, he kindly inquired ii we would
like to visit the Henry House three miles
distant, and the maia point of interest of
the two bloody fights Of Manassas
We were quite ready to seize tlo oppor.
tunity afforded, aud soon our horses, head5
were Manassa. ward.
When we reached our objective poi1t.
Prof H F. Henry, ar, an intelligent aud
courteous Virginia gentlonan ..of Tie old
school, took US uudfr his charges and led us
to poinc cas-; e. his house where the south
ern troops maiglg were stationed.
This elevation, we were told, was sl:e key
to both thc'bRttes OF Manasses
In going thither we stood 0n the apot en-
which Gen. Barlow fell, marked byi. stone
sunk into mo ground
at little distance, more elevated, the
place is marked al which Gen. Bee was kill
ed, whose words but few moments before
he yielded up his noble life. gsve to Gen. g..
j Jackson the imperishable eP2eiatiop,
''Slonewai!." From this commanding point
Pro-: Henry gave us u minnie aEd Clear de-
scrption of the battle Qi the 2i5t Of Ju;y.
facts and thrilling incidents connected with
this first great battle iu the wGr between
the States at no great distance from where
we enjoyed bis explanations in regard to the
fight Of the 21st Of July, he gave US de-
scrption OF tho battle fought there on tina
last days Of August, 1862.
The Professor is specially interesting in
describing this battle, having beer an eye
witness from beginning to end.
He is clear in his convictions that such
was the generslship displayed by Lee in this
engagement that had he fought no other he
is entitled 20 rank among iha first mill
tary chieftains OF any age Of coslsry.
We were next taken 10 tho house where
we were placed under still further obiga.
tions By having laid before US maps Of the
two battles, in which, at birds eye view,
we saw the whole movement of the armies,
federal and confederate.
While in his house Prof. Heary interested
US greatly in some relics or heir-loous of
his family. Notably among these was the
commission of mis- father as surgeon in The
Z. S. Navy. This bears the signature Of
John Adams, President, pat there by his
own hand also, q Bible-the Howard ed-
tion-127 years old, and iu excellent preser-
walton.
In the rear of this house. in the yard, is 6
monument erected by tbs government of
the United States to perpetuate the memo.
ry Of the patriots who fell in defenss of the
government. at another point where the
battle vas the sorest in the second fight, o
similar monument stands.
In the front yard, not more than . few
rods from the door, the visitor is surprised
at the sight Of 6 grave. It is the resting
place of the venerable mother OF Prof. Hen
ry, killed by shell exploding in her cham
Der onthe 21st of July, 1861.
THE battle ragged around this house and
some soldiers were found killed in the hall.
The inmates OF the house were Mrs. Henry,
ort-
fessor, to whose kindness we owe so much,
was not at home, but was in Alexandria
teaching. Ho did not reach home till few
days after the battle, TO find his reyered aud
beloved mother one ofthe victims and sleep
ing her last sleep, ss described above. Many
of your readers will recall this fact rs one o.
tbs painful incidents connected with that
bloody battle. The inscription ca .he tomb
of this noted woman we copied asd here re-
cord, believing it may iateEes, others as il
did ia