The Second Battle of Bull Run, also known as the Battle of Second Manassas, was a major battle of the American Civil War that took place on August 28-30, 1862 in Prince William County, Virginia. It was a Confederate victory that dealt a significant blow to the Union army and helped solidify the Confederacy's hold on the Eastern Theater of the war.
The battle was fought between the Union Army of Virginia, led by Major General John Pope, and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by General Robert E. Lee. The Union army had recently suffered a defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas, and Pope had been brought in to replace the previous Union commander, General Irvin McDowell. Pope was confident in his abilities and believed that he could quickly defeat the Confederates, but he was severely underestimated the strength and tactics of Lee's army.
The battle began on August 28, when the Confederate forces under General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson launched a surprise attack on the Union right flank. The Union army was caught off guard and was quickly routed, with many soldiers being forced to flee the battlefield. The next day, the Union army tried to regroup and launch a counterattack, but they were again defeated by the Confederates, who had the advantage of fighting on their home turf.
On the final day of the battle, the Union army made one final push to try and turn the tide of the fight, but they were met with heavy resistance from the Confederates. The Union army suffered heavy casualties and was forced to retreat, effectively ending the battle.
The Second Battle of Bull Run was a significant victory for the Confederacy and a major setback for the Union. It was also a turning point in the Civil War, as it convinced many in the North that the war would not be as easy or quick as they had originally thought. The Union army would go on to suffer even more defeats in the following months, including the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. It would not be until the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 that the Union army would finally secure a major victory.