Bristow in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"We are in hell and fire on all sides"
Bristoe Station 1863
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2020
1. "We are in hell and fire on all sides" Marker
As Cooke's Brigade charged toward the railroad, they soon were in a foot race with Union reinforcements. Union troops reached the railroad first and unleashed their firepower against Cooke. One Union soldier wrote that the Confederates were, "mowed down like grain before a reaper."
On your left, where the railroad intersects the Brentsville Road, Cooke's men were able to make a limited breakthrough against the 42nd New York. Composed mostly of recently arrived draftees and without the protection of the railroad, a portion of the regiment soon broke. Col. James Mallon rallied the New Yorkers and patched the line. Soon after Mallon fell mortally wounded. The road trace in front of you would be the farthest many of the North Carolinians would reach in this area. With decimated numbers and no hope to push on, the Confederates had the choice of surrender or retreat. Many chose to make the dangerous dash to safety, while hundreds surrendered along the railroad embankment.
"Hundreds of Confederates dropped; others bewildered rushed back, some forward, while our fellows, with wild cheer, fired volley after volley intothem."
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— John Perry, 20th Massachusetts
Erected by Prince William County Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 43.402′ N, 77° 32.327′ W. Marker is in Bristow, Virginia, in Prince William County. It can be reached from 10th Alabama Way 0.4 miles south of Iron Brigade Unit Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10712 Bristow Rd, Bristow VA 20136, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2020
2. "We are in hell and fire on all sides" Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Davis Family Farmstead (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); "I Expect We Had Better Charge" (about 700 feet away); Fight for a Pine Thicket (approx. 0.2 miles away); The "Tigers" of Louisiana (approx. Ό mile away); We Shall Bag the Whole Crowd (approx. Ό mile away); Deadly Day for the Excelsior Brigade (approx. Ό mile away); "We Have Never Blushed Before" (approx. Ό mile away); Battle Along the Railroad (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristow.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Deadly Day for Excelsior Brigade (was approx. Ό mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 18, 2016
3. The Road Trace Mentioned On The Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 18, 2016
4. The Union Position Behind The Railroad Tracks
The marker can be seen in the distance (upper center of photo).
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 18, 2016
5. View Behind The Marker
The Confederates that did not surrender here made their retreat across these fields.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 427 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on February 16, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5. submitted on February 17, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
