Near Bristow in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Battle of Bristoe Station

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2006

1. Battle of Bristoe Station Marker

Inscription. In the autumn of 1863, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, with Lt. Gen. A. P. Hill’s III Corps in the lead, pursued Maj. Gen. George G. Meade’s Union army as it withdrew towards Washington. On the afternoon of 14 October, Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren’s II Corps, Meade’s rear guard, took a strong defensive position along the railroad embankment to meet an impetuous attack by elements of Hill’s corps from the northwest. The Confederates were repulsed with heavy casualties (about 1300 to Warren’s 548), including the loss of an unsupported battery of five guns about 500 yards north. Warren stealthily withdrew after dark to resume his march to Centreville. About 43 Union and 137 Confederate dead were buried on the field.

Erected 1994 by the Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number G-20.)

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 Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 38° 43.679′ N, 77° 32.474′ W. Marker is near Bristow, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is on Bristow Road (Local Route 619) 0.4 miles Nokesville Road (Virginia

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Route 28), on the right when traveling east. Marker is about half a mile northwest of the railroad crossing where Bristoe Station used to be. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Casanova VA 20139, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Road to the Valley (here, next to this marker); In the Footsteps of North Carolina (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); McIntosh's Battery (about 400 feet away); Battles at Bristoe Station (about 400 feet away); Lee Catches Meade (about 600 feet away); "We Have Never Blushed Before" (about 800 feet away); Bristoe 1863 Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee's Last Move North: The Bristoe Station Campaign of 1863 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristow.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Battle of Bristoe Station by markers.

Also see . . . Bristoe Station Battlefield. Civil War Preservation Trust page providing resources about the battle and notes regarding preservation efforts. (Submitted on July 26, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Two Markers on Bristow Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2006

2. Two Markers on Bristow Road

The Old Inn at Bristow Crossing image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2006

3. The Old Inn at Bristow Crossing

Photographer is looking west across the crossing.

The Other Side of the Tracks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2006

4. The Other Side of the Tracks

Photographer is standing on the crossing looking east.

Heth's Division Attacks image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

5. Heth's Division Attacks

Confederate General Henry Heth's division attacked through an open field, which is now covered by the stand of trees on the right of the photo.

Webb's Division Defensive Line image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

6. Webb's Division Defensive Line

Federals from Brig. Gen. Alexander S. Webb's division, of Brig. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren's II Corps, defended the railroad line here and repulsed Heth's division.

Heth's Repulse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

7. Heth's Repulse

From this hill to the north of Bristow, Confederate General A.P. Hill had observed the Federals withdrawing through Bristow and ordered Heth's division forward to attack. When that division was stopped short of the railroad, many of the men chose to surrender instead of retreating back up this rise. The railroad line runs through the treeline in the distance.

Captured Artillery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 22, 2007

8. Captured Artillery

After the withdrawal of the remainder of Heth's forces, several Confederate artillery pieces remained in action on the hill to the north of Bristow. Unsupported by infantry, these guns were captured by a Federal counterattack and five were drug across the field to the railroad.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2006. This page has been viewed 5,097 times since then and 29 times this year. Last updated on August 16, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on December 23, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.