Bristow in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Federal Winter Quarter
In the winter of 1863-1864 thousands of Pennsylvania soldiers encamped in the farms and woodlots surrounding Bristoe Station. With easy access to the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, a pair of North-South and East-West roads, and a source of water, this Bristoe proved to be an excellent camp site.
With the army in one position for an extended period of time, the soldiers encamped here quickly built log cabins to replace their small canvas tents. While there was no standard hut, most soldiers learned that the most convenient type of hut was a small rectangular building that housed 4-8 soldiers. The completed huts were arranged in company streets, with the officer's huts at the head of each street.
By April 1864 most of the huts that were built here were abandoned when the soldiers were sent south of here to start the bloody Overland Campaign. The vacant buildings were quickly destroyed and with them the camps. This reconstructed hut is typical of the ones that were built here in 1864.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Orange and Alexandria Railroad series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1864.
Location. 38° 43.572′ N, 77° 32.706′ W. Marker is in Bristow, Virginia, in Prince William County. It can be reached from 10th Alabama Way 0.1 miles Iron Brigade Unit Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10549 Bristow Station Dr, 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, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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 within walking distance of this marker: Camp Jones (here, next to this marker); Civil War Encampments (within shouting
Credits. This page was last revised on September 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2023, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on September 10, 2023, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.



