Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 12, 2009

1. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Marker

Inscription. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park is one of Prince William County's most treasured open spaces. This peaceful landscape features over 2.7 miles of walking and equestrian trails. Wildlife abounds in the fields, woods and ponds. Evidence of people who occupied this land remains in the park's road traces, buildings, and cemeteries.

This land endured significant military activity during the Civil War. Soldiers camped here in 1861 and 1862. Federal and Confederate armies clashed here at the Battle of Kettle Run on August 27, 1862 when Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson's Confederate forces raided Federal supplies at Manassas Junction. Gen. Joseph Hooker's Federal troops attacked Jackson's rear guard, led by Gen. Richard Ewell, along Kettle Run. Ewell's troops fought Hooker's men then withdrew. On August 28-30, Ewell's forces faced Federal troops again during Second Manassas.

Bury these poor men and let us say no more about it.
In October and November 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate army and Maj. Gen. George Meade's Federal forces fought a series of battles known as the Bristoe Campaign. The October 14, 1863 Battle of Bristoe

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Station was one of these battles. Here, Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill's Confederate corps stumbled upon Gen. Gouvenor Warren's Federal troops posted at the Orange & Alexandria railroad. The Federals fiercely defended their position, inflicted heavy Confederate casualties and captured a battery of Confederate artillery. Hill's defeat effectively halted Lee's Bristoe offensive.

In 2000, Centex Homes purchased this land. Two years later, Centex Homes developed New Bristow Village and gave the battlefield parcel to the Civil War Preservation Trust. Prince William County acquired the 133-acre site in 2007. This park demonstrates how developers, residents, preservationists and local governments can work together to save historic resources.

Erected 2008 by Prince William County and Virginia Civil War Trails.

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 November 1863.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 43.632′ N, 77° 32.644′ W. Marker was

Park Map on the Back of the Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 12, 2009

2. Park Map on the Back of the Kiosk

Trails in the park include:
-A.P. Hill's Folly covering the October 14, 1863 Battle of Bristoe Station.
- Kettle Run Loop for the August 27, 1862 Battle of Kettle Run.
- Tragedy in Camp Trail over Confederate Camp Jones where many soldiers died of disease.

in Bristow, Virginia, in Prince William County. It was on Iron Brigade Unit Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in the parking area for the Bristoe Station Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Bristow VA 20136, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Lee's Last Move North: The Bristoe Station Campaign of 1863 (a few steps from this marker); Bristoe 1863 Trail (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park

Photographed by Craig Swain

3. Cwpt

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(a few steps from this marker); Confederate Cemeteries (within shouting distance of this marker); Roads to Bristoe Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Bristoe 1861-1862 Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee Catches Meade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Civil War Encampments (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristow.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled " Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park"

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Bristoe Station. American BattleTrust site detailing the battlefield. (Submitted on June 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. Prince William County Website. Includes links to printable trail guides and battle maps. (Submitted on July 19, 2009.)

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 12, 2009

4. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park Kiosk

Bristoe Station Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, June 12, 2009

5. Bristoe Station Battlefield

View looking across the center part of the battlefield from stop seven of the walking trail. In the distance, just behind the rusty shed in the center of view, is the old Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Hays' and Webb's Federal Divisions defended that sector. Advancing down the slope, Cooke's North Carolina Brigade advanced toward that sector, dressing on the Brentsville Road (CR 619) to the left of view. After their repulse, Cooke's men fell back to a point northwest of the road, outside the park grounds.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,159 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on September 12, 2023, by Linda Walcroft of Woodstock, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 22, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.