"Look out for your left, you are turned"

This elevation behind the Confederate right flank at Manassas in July1861 was one of four Confederatesignal stations established by Capt. Edward Porter Alexander; Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard's signal officer. Because the hilltop was devoid of trees, it offered excellent sight linesto the north andwest withoutbuilding a signaltower. As UnionGen. IrvinMcDowell's armyapproached, theCentreville stationwas abandoned,but Alexander'ssignalmen remained at the other three stations and "wig-wagged" messages from one end of Beauregard's Bull Run line to the other.

On the morning of July 21, 1861, Alexander was posted here. A Union diversionary attack at the Stone Bridge seven miles northwestrequired him to keep watch on the Van Pelt signal station. Alexander later wrote that when he looked to the left of that station at about 8:45 A.M., "my eye was caught by a glitter in this narrow band of green. I recognized it at once as the reflection of the morning sun from a brass field-piece. Closer scrutiny soon revealed the glittering of bayonets and musket barrels." Alexander had spotted a large Union column marching towardSudley Springs to turn the Confederate left flank. He immediately signaled the Van Pelt station to warn Col. Nathan G. Evans, in command at the Stone Bridge, "Look out for your left, you are turned." It was the first time inhistory that the wigwag system hadbeen used in combat. Alexander's timely warning enabled Evans to intercept the Union Ranking column and buy time for Confederate reinforcements, contributing significantly to the Confederate victory at First Manassas.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Manassas, VA  |  20111  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Signal Hill Monument
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort
Mayfield Civil War Fort

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.