Bristow in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"We Have Never Blushed Before"
Bristoe Station 1863
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2020
As the Carolinians pulled back from their attack, an artillery duel continued over the battlefield. The rest of Lee's army arrived under Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell, bringing, 45,000 Confederates facing 8,000 Union troops. Darkness saved Warren's Second Corps from any more attacks and later that night they marched under the cover of darkness to Centreville. Lee lost his opportunity to strike a blow. Referring to the battle, Lee was quoted as saying "We've grieved, we've mourned, we've wept, we have never blushed before."
Due to the lack of supplies available in devastated northern Virginia, Lee withdrew from Bristoe on October 16th. Lee followed along the railroad, tearing up the rails as his army marched. Meade followed repairing the railroad as he moved in cautious pursuit. The Confederate cavalry scored a small victory at the Battle of Buckland Mills on October 19th, and forced the Union cavalry into a running retreat. The Bristoe Campaign culminated on November 7th at the Battle of Rappahannock Station. Here, Lee suffered an embarrassing defeat that led to the near capture of 1,500 Confederates. A month after leaving the Rapidan River, Lee's army returned with little to show for it.
This campaign proved to be Lee's last strategic offensive campaign of the war. His march here to Bristoe was to be his last to northern Virginia as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Meade's retreat and his handling of Lee caused President Lincoln to begin to look elsewhere for a general to deal with Lee.
"Well, well, General. Bury these poor men and let us say no more about it."
— General Robert E. Lee to Lieutenant General Ambrose P. Hill at Bristoe Station
Erected by Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant day of the year for for this entry is October 16.
Location. 38° 43.565′ N, 77° 32.538′ W. Marker is in Bristow, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from 10th Alabama Way, 0.2 miles south of Iron Brigade Unit Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11619 Iron Brigade Unit Ave, Bristow VA 20136, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battles at Bristoe Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); McIntosh's Battery (about 400 feet away); In the Footsteps of North Carolina (about 500 feet away); Lee Catches Meade
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on June 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.