War Story - The Second Battle of Bull Run, Part 3: Fierce Fighting for the Railroad Embankment

On August 29th, Pope launched a series of attacks to break through Jackson's defenses. Jackson's troops used the unfinished railroad embankment as their defensive line, and the Union army repeatedly assaulted it. While the Union army had opportunities to breach the Confederate lines in some sectors, the Confederates quickly moved reinforcements to prevent breakthroughs. Jackson's unit also suffered heavy casualties but held the line. Meanwhile, Longstreet's main Confederate force began arriving on the battlefield. Lee positioned Longstreet's troops to the right of Jackson, preparing to flank the Union army. Pope, unaware of the scale of the Confederate reinforcements, continued his attacks. The fighting was intense throughout August 29th, but the Union army failed to achieve a decisive breakthrough. Instead, the Confederates succeeded in concentrating a large force on the battlefield while Jackson held the line. The next day, the battle entered a new phase.