The Matthews house, also known as the Stone House, in Manassas. This house was located right in the middle of the battlefield for First and Second Manassas, and was used as a hospital after both battles. Privates Eugene P Geer and Charles E. Brehm of the 5th New York Infantry were wounded on August 30, 1862 attempting to halt General James Longstreet’s counterattack. Somehow the two men found their way to one small upstairs room at the Stone House. There, carved in the floorboards in the late summer of 1862, and still visible today, are the initials “E.P. Ge” and “Brehm Aug 30.” Charles Brehm recovered from his wounds and survived the war. Eugene Geer died of his wounds September 30, 1862, he was 17.

The Matthews house, also known as the Stone House, in Manassas.  This house was located right in the middle of the battlefield for First and Second Manassas, and was used as a hospital after both battles.  Privates Eugene P Geer and Charles E. Brehm of the 5th New York Infantry were wounded on August 30, 1862 attempting to halt General James Longstreet’s counterattack. Somehow the two men found their way to one small upstairs room at the Stone House. There, carved in the floorboards in the late summer of 1862, and still visible today, are the initials “E.P. Ge” and “Brehm Aug 30.” Charles Brehm recovered from his wounds and survived the war. Eugene Geer died of his wounds September 30, 1862, he was 17.

Special Thank you to the Library of Congress for permission to use this image