Bristoe Station
The “Tigers” of Louisiana
In this creek bed, three Louisiana regiments made a stand. These men, many recruited from the wharves of New Orleans, had already established a reputation as hard fighters and were labeled “Tigers” by their comrades. Their brigade commander here at Bristoe was Col. Henry Forno. After first skirmishing with the Federals along Kettle Run, 1 ½ miles to the southwest along the railroad, Forno withdrew the 6th and 8th Louisiana regiments to this area and sent the rest of his brigade to the high ground near Brentsville Road, behind you ¼ mile.
As the first Federal regiment arrived, the Louisianans laid down a devastating fire. As the afternoon continued, they kept a heavy fire as more and more Federal regiments arrived in the field in front of you. Forno ordered up the 5th Louisiana Infantry to this area to bolster the line. By 4:30 p.m., with ammunition running low and facing overwhelming odds in an ever-increasing Federal force in their front and flanks, Forno pulled his men back toward Bristoe Station, ¼ mile behind you. The Louisianans left 83 dead and wounded here as they pulled back.
(Sidebar): The enemy coming down the railroad attacked the Louisiana Brigade. Col. [Forno], was in command, had his men lying down in the pines – & as the Federals advanced, he kept perfectly quiet till they were within 50 or 60 yards – then fired and charged. Many were killed and wounded; the rest ran like turkeys… Maj. Campbell Brown, CSA staff officer
Marker can be reached from Iron Brigade Unit Ave..
Courtesy hmdb.org
