Opening Manassas: The Iron Brigade, Stonewall Jackson and the Battle on Brawner’s Farm August 28, 1862 by Lance J. Herdegen and Bill Backus

Any book on the Iron Brigade (or Gibbons/Western/ Black Hat Brigade) is guaranteed to interest me, when it is written by Lance J. Henderson it means I will want to read it.

This collaborative effort with Bill Backus has an interesting format, alternate chapters dealing with the Iron Brigade in one chapter followed by chapter on Stonewall Jackson and his forces during the same period.

It also covers events leading up to the Battle providing the background to the events that led to Gibbons Western Brigade facing the Confederate troops (mostly the famous Stonewall Brigade) on Brawner’s Farm that fateful day in August 1862. It also covers briefly what happened after the battle. It also introduces you to the commanders involved in the battle.

I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the Western Brigade which contained numerous mentions from lower ranks serving in the regiments within the Brigade, this enhanced the chapters in my view.

I also liked the way this book alternates between the two sides, allowing you to see both sides of the hill.

If you are not familiar with the Battle, this is an excellent introduction to it. It deals with the horrific nature of this particular battle, where veteran troops came up against a brigade of virtually untried, but stubborn troops and blasted away at each other at close range long enough to do serious damage to the regiments involved on both sides.

The authors have made extensive use of primary sources which enhance the telling of what happened in the Summer of 1862 culminating in the battle at Brawner’s Farm (which interestingly is a name soldiers of both sides would not have used).

The book is 264 pages in length and is well written and interesting read. With more than 30 chapters it is easily broken down into manageable sections to read at any one time.

I would recommend this book to fellow round table members .

Ian Thomas