Bristow in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Civil War Encampments
Bristoe Station 1861-1864
| | Prince William Historic Preservation | |
Photographed by Mike McKeown, December 7, 2025
1. Civil War Encampments Marker
From August through November 1861, thousands of Confederate soldiers camped around Bristoe Station. They called it Camp Jones after Col. Egbert Jonιs of the 4th Alabama Infantry, who died from wounds suffered at the Battle of First Manassas. By November 1861, most of the Confederates moved from Camp Jones to other areas of Prince William and Fairfax Counties.
This area continued to host several camps from both sides throughout the war, including a large encampment of the Pennsylvania Reserves, under Gen. Samuel Crawford, during the winter of 1863-1864. Once the Pennsylvanians marched south on their way to participate in the Overland Campaign, a division of United States Colored Troops temporarily took their place.
Camp life proved to be deadlier than battles. Poor sanitary conditions led to outbreaks of various diseases, including pneumonia, dysentery, typhoid, tuberculosis, measles, and even anthrax.
"I find the health of the Regt. terrible. Only about two hundred and thirty fit for duty, and great many of the sick dangerously ill. I fear we shall have great many deaths before we
this page online
(captions)
Confederate Winter Camps, 1861-862 Courtesy of Edward Alexander
Gen. Samuel Crawford's headquarters at Bristoe Station
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1861.
Location. 38° 43.594′ N, 77° 32.7′ W. Marker is in Bristow, Virginia, in Prince William County. It can be reached from Tenth Alabama Way south of Iron Brigade Unit Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Along the 1862 Trail at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10501 Tenth Alabama Way, 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 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: Federal Winter Quarter (within shouting distance of this marker); Camp Jones (within shouting distance of this marker); Bristoe 1861-1862 Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Roads to Bristoe Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Cemeteries (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park
Photographed by Mike McKeown, December 7, 2025
2. Civil War Encampments Marker
Also see . . . Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. (Submitted on December 7, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 7, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
