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

Henry Hill

First Battle of Manassas

— July 21, 1861 —

Henry Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

1. Henry Hill Marker

Inscription.
Today's serene and peaceful fields belie the carnage that occurred here on July 21, 1861, when Union and Confederate troops clashed at the first major land battle of the Civil War - the First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run). The heaviest and most sustained fighting occurred on this ground, resulting in over 5,000 American casualties.

Few had anticipated the devastation and ruin war would bring. Inexperienced soldiers on both sides had predicted a swift victory. Civilian spectators journeyed out to watch the battle from distant hills. The First Battle of Manassas challenged their naive expectations of war and exposed the sobering reality of the struggle ahead.

(caption)
The self-guided Henry Hill Loop Trail (1.1 mile) connects the opposing battle lines and shares the story of two local families caught in the crossfire of war. Despite some changes to vegetation patterns, the landscape retains much of its wartime character.

Erected by Manassas National Battlefield, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1861.

Location. 38° 48.808′ N, 77° 31.292′ W. Marker is near Manassas

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, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker can be reached from Sudley Road (Virginia Route 234) half a mile south of Lee Highway (U.S. 29), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located behind the Visitor Center, along the 1-mile Henry Hill Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Artillery Duel (within shouting distance of this marker); The War Over Memory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Barnard Elliott Bee (about 300 feet away); Position 7th G.A. Regt. (about 300 feet away); 7th Georgia Markers (about 300 feet away); Thomas Jonathan Jackson (about 300 feet away); Colonel Thomas (about 400 feet away); The Bartow Monument (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.

Also see . . .
1. Manassas National Battlefield Park. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on November 23, 2015.)

2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location titled “Henry Hill Walking Tour” (Submitted on November 23, 2015.)

Trail Map on Henry Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

2. Trail Map on Henry Hill Marker

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

3. Henry Hill Marker

The Bull Run Monument and Henry Hill House can be seen in the background, behind the marker.

Artillery Piece and Limber near the Henry Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, September 26, 2015

4. Artillery Piece and Limber near the Henry Hill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2015. This page has been viewed 659 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on August 26, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 21, 2015, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.