(Washington, D.C.) — The latest title in the America Battlefield Trust’s award-winning animated map series, The Battles for Manassas, dives into the First and Second Battles of Manassas, two of the Civil War most iconic engagements. Produced by the acclaimed Wide Awake Films, a long-time partner in the Trust’s educational video content, this innovative experience brings to life the battles fought just 13 months apart. The 14-minute video skillfully blends motion graphics, engaging narration and battle reenactment footage, giving viewers a clear understanding of the two major battles.
With 27 entries to date, the American Battlefield Trust's Animated Map Collection tells the story of America’s defining conflicts through compelling storytelling, state of the art graphics and live action video. From individual battles to campaigns and entire theaters of war — plus the ambitious “America’s Wars,” which provides an overview of 200 years of the nation’s military history — the pieces are suitable for classroom use or viewing by learners of all ages.
The Battles of Manassas animated map, generously supported by a grant from the Manassas Battlefield Trust, an outstanding local partner, in just the latest of the Trust’s ever-growing arsenal of video productions, which have collectively garnered millions of views across the globe. These resources, from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War and beyond, continue to educate and engage viewers eager to explore America’s most significant conflicts.
The animated map debuts as the American Battlefield Trust is involved in a legal battle against what would be the largest data center complex in the world, located on part of the historic Second Manassas Battlefield. This complex would be located at the western border of Manassas National Battlefield Park, along historic Pageland Lane. This area of the battlefield, including the restored Brawner Farm, played a central role in the Second Battle of Manassas. On August 28, 1862, fighting in this area and the nearby Deep Cut, an unfinished railroad bed, featured some of the most famous units of the entire Civil War – the Union Iron Brigade and the Confederate Stonewall Brigade.
Although the Civil War officially began when Confederate troops shelled Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, the fighting didn’t commence in earnest until the Battle of First Manassas, fought just 25 miles from Washington D.C. Under public pressure to end the war in 90 days, President Lincoln had pushed the cautious General Irvin McDowell to embark on a campaign to capture the Confederate capital in Richmond, but McDowell’s troops were stopped at Bull Run by General P.G.T. Beauregard’s Rebel forces. The Federals retreated to Washington, where the Lincoln administration retooled for a longer and much deadlier war than anyone could have predicted. Just 13 months later, another Confederate success on these same fields at the Second Battle of Manassas, prompted General Robert E. Lee to press his advantage and stage his first invasion of the North.
The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 60,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War, including more than 400 acres at Manassas. Learn more at battlefields.org.
