Near Broad Run in Fauquier County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Thoroughfare Gap

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, June 3, 2006

1. Thoroughfare Gap

Inscription. Just west is Thoroughfare Gap where Union and Confederate armies clashed during the Civil War. In July 1861, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston marched eastward through the gap to join Brig. Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard in the First Battle of Manassas. Maj. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson passed by here on 26 Aug. 1862 to attack the Federal supply depot at Manassas Junction. Two days later, Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. James Longstreet surprised and repelled Union cavalry under Col. Sir Percy Wyndham and an infantry division under Brig. Gen. James Ricketts. Ever after, Union troops occupied the gap whenever Lee’s army was near.

Erected 1995 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number C-50.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1861.

Location. 38° 49.412′ N, 77° 42.652′ W. Marker is near Broad Run, Virginia, in Fauquier County. It is at the intersection of John Marshall Highway (Virginia Route 55) and Beverleys Mills Road, on the right when traveling west on John Marshall Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Broad Run VA 20137, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

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 Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Thoroughfare Gap (here, next to this marker); Campaign of Second Manassas (a few steps from this marker); Chapman's Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve (approx. ¼ mile away); Heflin's Store (approx. 1.1 miles away); Free People Of Color At Thoroughfare (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Thoroughfare Colored/North Fork School (approx. 2 miles away); Water Fowl And Their Habitat (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Broad Run.

Other markers no longer nearby. Thoroughfare Gap (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named Chapman's Mill (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. This marker replaced an older marker with the same title and number. That marker read Five miles northwest is Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run Mountains. Through this gap J. E. Johnston and Jackson came, July 19, 1861, on their way to the First Battle of Manassas. Through it Lee sent Jackson, August 26, 1862, and followed with Longstreet to take part in the
Photographed by J. J. Prats, October 31, 2009

2. Thoroughfare Gap and Two Other Markers
Second Battle of Manassas. The older marker was erected in Gainesville, in Prince William County, at Route 55's intersection with US 29, but was missing by 1985.

Regarding Thoroughfare Gap. From Carl G. Moore Jr.: I see that the sender of photo 3 is from nearby Gainesville, but I am seeing VA 55 at left and I-66 at right, and VA 55 is south of I-66 here and (according to map) the railroad is to north of I-66 here. North here is to right, not to left. I have driven VA 55 and I-66 between US 15 and The Plains several times.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Thoroughfare Gap Markers

Also see . . . Harper's Weekly, November 29, 1862. Steel cut illustrations of Thoroughfare Cut and other contemporary Union Civil War scenes as well as articles on the progress of the war. (Submitted on October 10, 2006.)

Photographed by Samuel Paik, September 19, 2017

3. Thoroughfare Gap

VA-55 and I-66 pass through the Bull Run Mountains at Thoroughfare Gap, a rail line slightly further to the north (right) is hidden by the trees.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2006. This page has been viewed 5,564 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on February 24, 2021. Photos: 1. submitted on October 9, 2006, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. 2. submitted on October 31, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 19, 2017, by Samuel Paik of Gainesville, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.