A violent thunderstorm raged. The year was 1862. The Kearny and Stevens Monuments stand here today a silent testament to that fateful day. They mark the spot where two Union generals met their end. This is Ox Hill also known as Chantilly.
The Kearny and Stevens Monuments honor Major Generals Philip Kearny and Isaac Stevens. These brave men fell during the Battle of Ox Hill a small but significant engagement. It followed the Confederate victory at Second Manassas. Lee hoped to cut off Pope’s retreat. Pope struck first. Kearny and Stevens attacked Jackson’s larger force.
The battle was short. It ended in a stalemate. Both armies suffered about 1500 casualties. Kearny and Stevens were among the dead. Kearny’s death was particularly tragic. He ignored an order to surrender. A single bullet ended his life. He was known for his reckless courage. He always led from the front. Even his old friend Winfield Scott called him the bravest man he knew.
Stevens’ death was equally poignant. He fell leading the 79th New York. The 79th were known as the Highlanders. They pushed ahead after Stevens’ death. They drove back Harry Hays’ Louisiana Brigade. This small battlefield is now a park. It preserves a crucial piece of history.
Imagine the scene. The ground you stand on was once a bloody battlefield. The air would have been thick with smoke gunpowder and rain. The sounds of battle would have been deafening. The cries of the wounded would have filled the air. Now only quiet stands here.
The Kearny and Stevens Monuments remind us of the cost of war. They remind us of the sacrifices of brave soldiers. They also teach us about battlefield preservation. These monuments ensure future generations remember this important battle. They remember the bravery of Kearny and Stevens. Their sacrifice was not in vain. Their legacy lives on. We stand here to remember them.