Scarton: I was there 50 years ago

Fifty years ago I stood on Henry Hill at Manassas Battlefield Park with 125,000 other spectators over a three-day period to watch and photograph the 100th observance of the First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run.

And while some of the events  taking place that weekend, July 22-23, 1961, have faded from my memory (I’m 75 now), I do recall what a spectacular reeactment was put on by the two sides.

A couple things do stand out in my mind:  Manassas had its greatest invasion of visitors in its history; that it was hot, something like 100-plus; that on the rehearsal the day before the event I nearly got my head blown off when I got too close to a firing cannon while getting pictures; and how much my photography  equipment has changed through the years, from bulky film cameras to today’s digitals smaller that pack of cigarettes.

Because the event was free, as compared to the $40 ticket for this year’s event, crowds started pouring into the area the day before the actual reenactment--about 18,000 of them.

The first day of the formal reenactment drew crowds estimated at upwards of 75,000, while the final  program was seen by some 40,000.

While there was no charge for standing, seats could be purchased for $4 each on the grandstand, $3.50 for the bleachers and $2.50 for chairs.

A shuttle bus service operated between Manassas and the Park with the fare of  35 cents each way.

I recall that for three days some 2,200 participants in the reenactment surged back and forth over the Henry Hill plateau in the  staging of the battle that took place  July 21, 1861.

Spectators, like myself, saw a telescoped reenactment of the historic Civil War battle that ended with Confederate troops pushing the Union troops back to the Warrenton Turnpike and then in rout through Centreville toward Washington.

We saw the charge and and countercharge of troops, Stonewall Jackson got is immortal name and the point-blank duel of 24 authentic authentic cannons at Henry House Hill.

Despite my too-late warning to keep away from the cannon firings, I got the picture I wanted. It took up nearly one-third of the front page on July 20, 1961.

It was, or course, in black and white and showed a panoramic view of cannon fire during  a skirmish.

In reading back about the coverage in the then-weekly Journal Messenger, I found out that despite the large crowds,  a bevy of state troopers kept control of the traffic as it moved about the area with few traffic jams.

There was, however, a minor tie-up on Va. 234 when a small private plane crashed while taking off from Manassas  Municipal Airport, located at what is now the Manaport Shopping Center.

Not one arrest was made at the park during the entire three days,  and the main job of the officers was locating 22 lost children.

An interesting sidelight of the honest behavior of the crowd was that eight lost billfolds were turned in to police, all except one with money intact.

 While crowds milled around  the refreshment tents behind the grandstands, perhaps the most popular booth was that of  the Manassas Jaycees, who ladled out 6,000 gallons of free water that had been cooled by 1,400 pounds of ice for the  sweltering spectators.

One of my highlights of the weekend was attending VIP parties (I’ve never been known to turn down one) hosted by R. L. Garner at his Ben Lomond estate, now converted into a Civil War-era hospital as it was during the conflict.

Guests of honor included Gov. J. Lindsay Almond Jr., who was the host for the reeactment and gave an address each day under the boiling sun.

While everyone I talked to seemed to enjoy the reeactment,  and the hospitality of Manassas  residents, the  National Park Service was not thrilled with the  shape  the park was left in after the reenactment--consequently no such events are allowed in national parks anymore.

Thus the reason for this commemoration taking place at the Pageland Farm--with crowds limited to 15,000 each day.

Here’s hoping  they, along with myself, enjoy and learn from this sesquicentennial observance as much as the one that put Manassas on the map a half century ago.

 Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.