The Battle of Bristoe Station

 Located at the corner of Iron Bridage Unit Avenue and Tenth Alabama Way in Bristow, VA.


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Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park is one of Prince William County's most treasured open spaces. This peaceful landscape features more than 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.

  

 
 
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. Photograph by Jim Lewis

 

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 Aug. 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 Aug. 28-30 Ewell's forces faced Federal troops again during Second Manassas. You can follow the path of the battle on this Bristoe Station Battle Map.

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 Oct. 14 1863 Battle of Bristoe Station was one of these battles. Here Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill's Confederate corps stumbled upon Gen. Gouverneur 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.

 

 

“Attack on Bristoe Station” by Alfred A. Waugh, Harper’s Weekly Nov. 7 1863.005058.jpg


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.  

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Artillery at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. Photograph by Avery Born        

 

Visitors are invited to enjoy the A.P. Hill’s Folly self-guided walking trail. Stops along the trail highlight facets of the Oct. 14 1863 Battle of Bristoe Station. For your reference you may print  A.P. Hill's Folly Guide page 1 and A.P. Hill's Folly Guide page 2. Printed copies of the trail guide and battle map are also available at the Visitor Information kiosk located at the park.  

We also offer the Kettle Run Trail Guide to follow the events of the Battle of Kettle Run. This was the first battle at Bristoe Station. It centered around the railroad. 

Alabama Cemetary at Bristoe

Beginning in August 1861, thousands of Confederates encamped around Bristoe Station.  Most of the men were from the states of Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.  Due to disease and other ailments caused by bad sanitary conditions of the camps, hundreds of men died at Camp Jones.  Most of these men were buried in the fields surrounding Bristoe Station in cemetaries dedicated to the individual states.  One such cemetary, the Alabama Cemetary, is located in the park boundaries today.   We only know the name of half the men buried here, but you can contact us at 703-366-3049 for a list of the known burials in the cemetary.

In December 2011, an Eagle Scout, scouts and County staff worked to clean up this once forgotten cemetary.  Plans call for a monument to the men in the cemetary and a trail leading visitors to the cemetary.  If you are interested in donating funds for this project, please contact the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation at www.pwhpf.org. 

Downloadable Podcast NOW AVAILABLE! 

We are pleased to offer a downloadable podcast to guide you and highlight points of interest as you tour Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. Our goal is to ensure you have a meaningful and educational experience at this important historic site. Thank you for supporting historic preservation in Prince William County.

Take a Virtual Tour of Bristoe Station Battlefield

 Join local historians for new insight into this important battle site of the American Civil War as we take a virtual (video) tour of the battlefield. We also invite you to discover the natural beauty of this hallowed ground. 

Volunteer Opportunity 

March 31
CWPT Annual Park Clean Up Day – Bristoe Station Battlefield
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Join the staff at Bristoe Station Battlefield and the Civil War Preservation Trust at History for Park Day 2012. Park Day is a nationwide event that encourages Civil War enthusiasts to help maintain, restore and preserve Civil War sites through volunteerism. Come out and join us for a fun and rewarding day of work at Bristoe Battlefield. Projects will include litter pick up, cleaning cemeteries and trail maintenance throughout the 133-acre park. Wear sturdy work shoes, bring gloves and remember sunscreen. Tools and snacks will be provided. Meet in the parking lot off Iron Brigade Avenue. Please no pets.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, The parking lot is located off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave., Bristow, VA 20136, (703) 366-3049
 

We are also looking for Civil War and Nature Enthusiasts to help with tours at this beautiful site. If you are interested in joining our team to protect the historic and natural resources of our community, please contact us at 703-366-3049.   

Visiting Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park 

Park grounds and trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset free of charge. Guided tours are offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second and fourth weekend of the month from May through October. Special group tours can be arranged by calling 703-792-5546. No restroom concessions or camping facilities are available on site.   

 

Bristoe Station Battlefield is located at the corner of Iron Brigade Unit Avenue and Tenth Alabama Way. 

From Interstate 95: Take Rt. 234 North (Exit 152B); travel 7.5 miles and make a left onto Independent Hill Drive. Then make your immediate right onto Rt 619 (Bristow Road). Travel 7 miles and turn left onto Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. The parking lot is located on your left at the traffic circle.

From Interstate 66: Take Rt 234 South (Exit 44). Travel 4.5 miles and turn right onto Rt 28 (Nokesville Road). Travel 1.5 miles and turn left onto Rt. 619 (Bristow Road). Travel .25 miles and turn right onto Iron Brigade Unit Avenue. The parking lot is located on your left at the traffic circle.   

For More Information

To learn more about the park or schedule a guided tour, call 703-366-3049.

For general information about historic preservation and sites in Prince William County, please call 703-792-4754.

To return to our main page about historic preservation, click here.