Battle of First Manassas Staff Ride
Join us for an enlightening tour of the Manassas battlefield on Sunday, 19 October led by certified staff ride leader and retired FAO Mark Gillespie. Family members are welcome and encouraged! (Note – foreign attachés serving in Washington, DC are invited to attend) See the schedule below for details. Lunch will be available at the Winery at Bull Run, where the tour will conclude, at 1430. Participants are encouraged to eat a hearty breakfast. Cost is only a $3 park entrance fee (which is waived for active duty military and their dependents), and any wine/food purchased at the winery.
Mark Gillespie is a former Assistant Professor of History at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as a West European FAO at the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, Germany and in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. After retiring from military service, he has deployed and supervised a variety of projects inside Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East as a defense contractor.
Schedule of Events
Participants arrive at Manassas National Battlefield Park Visitors Center parking lot by POV and assemble at front door of building at approximately 0945.
Greeting/Introduction
Collection of Park Fees for non-active duty participants
View National Park Service's Orientation Film at the Visitors Center (10 AM start time)
Walk to Henry House for initial briefing on beginnings of the battle
Board POVs
Retrace movement of Union forces to the Stone Bridge
Sudley Church
Matthews Hill (dismount bus and walk to crest of Matthews Hill for view from the Union side)
Re-board POVs
Return to Visitors Center Parking lot.
Mid-day developments
Stonewall Jackson's Defensive position
Confederate Attack and Union Rout
Aftermath + Q & A time
Finish Formal Staff Ride Program by 2:30 PM
Proceed to Bull Run Winery by POV (5 minute drive)
Wine Tasting/Food/Cigars, Live music, etc.
Between approximately 3 P M and 3:30, Re-enactor Confederate Cavalry Demonstration/briefing
Depart at will, but no later than 5pm due to a wedding ceremony at the Winery.