The Attack of General Birney’s Brigade
A courier sent by General Stevens galloped up to Union Major General Philip Kearny on the Fairfax-Centreville Road with an urgent request. General Stevens’ division had intercepted Confederate General Jackson’s column on the Little River Turnpike and was in desperate need of support.
“By God, I’ll support Stevens anywhere!” exclaimed Kearny. He ordered General David Birney’s brigade to hasten forward and support General Stevens.
Marching in heavy rain, Birney’s brigade arrived at the far end of the cornfield, 450 yards west of where you are standing.
Entering the cornfield and woods, Birney’s lead regiments engaged the North Carolina brigades of Generals Branch and Pender. As minie balls ripped through the corn, the federal infantry swung northward to face the Confederate line along the edge of the cornfield behind a double rail fence. The Confederates poured a heavy fire into the Union ranks. Misfires due to wet ammunition resulting from the heavy rain were common, and and forced the soldiers on both sides to use bayonets to keep the enemy at bay.
Meanwhile General Kearny arrived and posted Randolph’s Battery on a knoll behind Birney’s Brigade. In the dim twilight, Birney’s battle raged in the western part of the cornfield and woods as Randolph’s battery fired in support. Birney informed General Kearny that Stevens’ troops had withdrawn leaving his right flank uncovered. Shocked by this report, Kearny rode off to investigate.