First Bull Run 150th - U.S. Marine Battle Marker Dedicated July 21, 2011

The U.S. Marine Corp. Historical Company takes part in the unveiling of a battlefield marker describing the role of the Marines in the First Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861. This event is part of the National Park Service's 150th anniversary events.

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  News & Politics

[Sturmmann]

Marines of the 19th century were light infantry (not in the skirmisher sense) they were not line infantry either. Our 2 defeats in that century were a result of us being under poor overall army leadership...this was the case at Bladensburg and little changed 50yrs later. Eventough at Bladensburg we and the sailors gave a stiffer resistance than any regular line infantry unit.

The entire country suffered because of US army incompetence during this period.

[ussr19411945]

at the battle of bull run the marines ran away from the battle and never fought another battle in the war

[MarkMaritatoArt]

Fowler writes of the 2nd advance up the hill - "The regiment (the 14th) reformed at the foot of the hill, at the Sudley Ford Rd. & advanced again to the summit. This time supported by a Battalion of Marines in it's rear On reaching the top of Hill, as the enemy volley came belching forth, the men without command, dropped to the ground, & the shots passed over them & took effect upon the Marines in their rear...who... broke & ran for the rear followed by the unsupported 14th"

[MarkMaritatoArt]

"Lieutenant Averil, with the consent of the General, ordered another change of direction by an advance in line again, which carried the Regt. to a position near the woods on the right of the lost batteries. in going up, the regiment passed the Fire Zouaves and the Marines coming back in disorder" - Edward B. Fowler - 14th Brooklyn.

[MarkMaritatoArt]

According to the Regimental history for the 14th Brooklyn and Colonel Edward B. Fowler's own account - the Marines were behind the 14th Brooklyn and when the 14th went down the volley went over them right into the Marines which broke them and they retreated...The Marines Piercing the lines is news to me.. if that were true I would assume there would be more accounts written about it..

[garyjd1166]

I'd like to read the account(s) that tell of the Marines fighting unsupported. Though they fought at Bull Run their role was minor and they were not that heavily engaged compared to other regiments that were involved in the see-saw fight for Griffin's and Rickett's guns.

[Krisusmc]

They were actually the third behind Burnsides brigade (thats 3000 troops) and the supporting troops. after taking enfallading fire from the flank. and after they had made three attempts to retake the batteries.

[Heywood Jablome]

what happened...uniforms...manual of arms.