We saw this placard on our way home (we live in Gainesville, which abuts the Manassas battlefields to the West), and thought we should share it with you. Thanks to the Prince William County Historical Commission for putting it up in 2017.
It is mostly self-explanatory. The key points are that the railroad for which Gaines sold the rights on his land along the Warrenton Turnpike (today’s Lee Highway, Rt. 29) — with the specification that it be named after him, i.e. Gainesville — was the one used by Joe Johnston at First Manassas. Their arrival helped turn the tide against the Union that day.
Also, undoubtedly, Lee and Longstreet and their men passed over this land during Second Manassas — the advance that General John Pope refused to believe existed until it was too late.
I researched this question, but found no answer: perhaps my readers can. Note that Gaines’s middle name was Brawner and the Brawner Farm on the Second Manassas battlefield saw considerable fighting. One source says the Brawner’s on that farm were in fact tenant farmers and the farm was owned by the Douglas family. Were the two Brawners related?
GENE SCHMIEL, CIVIL WAR HISTORIAN, AUTHOR, AND LECTURER 
Interesting read, i’am related to the Gaines family so the history here is fascinating to me. I wish my Grandmother was still alive to tell me more about the good old days growing up on her farm in Gainesville va !
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Me too cousin!
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Thanks for the comment. Hope you’ll take a look at my books about the war. Gene
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I am extremely impressed with your writing talents and also with
the format in your weblog. Is that this a paid theme or did
you modify it your self? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to see a nice blog like this one today..
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Thanks very much.
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I am also descended from both the Gaines and Brawlers. James Taylor Gaines 1764-1856 and Sarah Brawler 1778-1850 were my 4th Great grandparents and 1st cousins.
So yes the Gaines and Brawlers were related.
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Whoops spell check made Brawners, Brawlers. Lol
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Driving through Gainesville began reading the above history. My name is Thompson Gaines Daniel Jr. (1934-) and my father passed to me an original Gaines family bible. I do not know the family history regarding the Gaines part of our family. The Daniel family line comes from Clarksville Tennessee
Any additional information would be appreciated.
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My 4th great grand parents were James Gaines and Sarah Brawner. Their daughter, Fannie, married James Carter, my 3rd GGF. While I don’t know (yet) the genealogy of Thomas Brawner Gaines, I’m comfortable assuming he is from the same family. 😊
Thompson—-please contact me via email at DCarter23103@gmail.com. I can provide you with info on the Gaines family. I would love to learn more about your Bible.
—Denise Carter
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