Lee's objective was to outflank Pope and control the intersection at Germantown where he could get between the Union army and Washington. If Lee was able to isolate individual units and overwhelm them with his two Wings, he could effectively destroy Pope's entire army in a piecemeal manner. Fortunately for Pope, J.E.B. Stuart tipped Lee's hand by firing on a wagon train. [Later in the war Stuart's recklessness would once again cost Lee at the Battle of Gettysburg.]

Just as Stonewall Jackson started his attack on Germantown he was informed of General Stevens sudden appearance on his flank. Jackson's surprise was best demonstrated by how quickly he "circled the wagons" in a defensive posture. Jackson's hasty deployment also gave Stevens the opportunity to attack while Jackson's forces were somewhat disorganized. Stevens immediately capitalized on this by attacking on a narrow front with every asset available to him.

The Confederate field commanders also had to contend with limited visibility in the heavy rain and thick woods. The bad conditions not only made it difficult to maneuver and communicate, but also made it difficult to determine what Union forces they were facing. With General Kearny's arrival, the raging storm, Longstreet's delay, and the late time of day, Jackson apparently decided to stay in his defensive posture and quite literally "ride out the storm".

Where the bad weather was a hindrance for the Confederate commanders, it was what helped save the day for the Union troops. At least half to two-thirds of the Confederate weapons were unserviceable because of the storm. Had it not rained, the Union ranks would have been devastated by the continuous volleys of Jackson's massed brigades. Furthermore, the Confederates had no artillery support, whereas the Union troops had two battery's in action throughout most of the battle.

In sharp contrast to the confusion and poor performance of General Pope at the Battle of Second Manassas, General Issac Stevens knew exactly what course of action to take when he inadvertently came upon Jackson's flank. His bold actions along with General Kearny's timely arrival, not only saved the weak Germantown defenses from continued attack but also kept Pope's escape route from Centreville to Fairfax Court House open.

Because of General Steven's and Kearny's courage, nineteen Union regiments tenaciously attacked and pinned down sixty-seven Confederate regiments for over two hours (does not include Stuart's Division and Campbell's Brigade). If you add in, the defeat at Second Manassas, a raging storm, and both Steven's and Kearny's death, it is evident that these Americans... these citizen soldiers... did their duty in a remarkable fashion.

The Battle of Ox Hill ended General Lee's campaign against Pope's Army of Virginia and convinced Lee to move north. General Pope was quickly replaced by General McClellan who reorganized the dispirited troops once again into a fighting force. Two weeks later, Lee and McClellan would meet in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War... the Battle of Antietam.

A Standard of Honor and Courage

Prior to the Civil War there was only one decoration, called the Andre Medal, awarded by the United States. It was given to the three New York Privates who captured Major John Andre, a British intelligence officer, who was also a co-conspirator with Major General Benedict Arnold.

On November 29th, 1862 the officers of the 1st Division, III Corps adopted a resolution establishing a medal of honor to be known as the "Kearny Medal". The medal was presented to all officers who had "Honorably served in battle under General Kearny in his Division".

On March 13, 1863 Brigadier General Birney issued an order establishing a "cross of valor", to be known as the "Kearny Cross". The medal was awarded to Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates who had distinguished themselves in battle. In Birney's General Order No.48 he stated in part, "This cross is in honor of our old leader and the wearers of it will always remember his high standard of a true and brave soldier and will never disgrace it."

On July 12, 1863 A Senate Resolution, signed into law by Abraham Lincoln provided for the presentation of Medals of Honor "In the name of Congress, to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other soldier-like qualities, during the Civil War."