Burke in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Burke's Station
The Christmas Raid
Photographed by William Barnard, May 1, 2015
1. Burke's Station Marker
After the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, most of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia settled into winter quarters except for Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry, which instead went on the move. Wade Hampton, Fitzhugh Lee, and William H.F. "Rooney" Lee made a "forced reconnaissance" behind Union lines to steal supplies, disrupt communications, and harass the Federals.
Stuart attacked Dumfries and Occoquan on December 27, and then rode with his 1,800 men toward Fairfax Station, a Federal supply depot. After dark the next evening, they arrived here at Burke's Station, where Fitzhugh Lee burned the nearby Orange & Alexandria Railroad bridge over Accotink Creek. They also damaged track and transmitted telegraph messages. Stuart famously wired his own audacious message to Federal Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs complaining that the poor quality of the Union mules hampered him in removing all of the supplies he had captured.
When local physician William Holsapple, investigating a light at the station, stumbled on the raiders, Stuart detained him and made him stand on the tracks until the cavalry was out of sight. The Confederates rode to Fairfax Courthouse, where Federal infantry fired "a heavy volley" at them, then moved on to Frying Pan and rested. They reached winter quarters
this page online
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.
Location. 38° 47.625′ N, 77° 16.286′ W. Marker is in Burke, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is at the intersection of Old Burke Lake Road and Burke Road (Virginia Route 652), on the right when traveling north on Old Burke Lake Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9415 Old Burke Lake Road, Burke VA 22015, 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 within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Burke's Station (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Burke's Station (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marshall Family Cemetery (about 400 feet away); Copperthite Racetrack (approx. Ό mile away); Post Office (approx. half a mile away); Ice House (approx. half a mile away); The Silas Burke House (approx. half a mile away); Windmill (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burke.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Burke Station (was here, next to this marker but
Photographed by William Barnard, May 1, 2015
2. Burke's Station Marker
The old Burke Station
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2015, by William Barnard of Fairfax Station, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,076 times since then and 66 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 7, 2015, by William Barnard of Fairfax Station, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
