Bristow in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Bristoe Station
"Twice Baptized"
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 30, 2019
The Civil War transformed this area. Between 1861 and 1865, thousands of both Federal and Confederate soldiers passed through this region. local road networks allowed soldiers to march rapidly in either direction. While the roads were important, the Orange and Alexandria Railroad proved to be the crucial artery that allowed thousands of soldiers to operate here. The village of Bristoe Station grew where the Valley Road met the railroad.
Since the roads were little more than dirt paths, the railroad transported men and the supplies they needed much more efficiently. Starting in August 1861, the first camp sprang up around Bristoe Station as the Confederate soldiers established what they called "Camp Jones." Nearly 1,000 soldiers died during this period and were buried nearby. While the Confederates departed within a few months, Federal soldiers built numerous camps between 1862 and 1864.
The railroad also brought two battles here as well as the camps. On August 26-27, 1862, Confederate forces under Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson raided the railroad and fought off Federal forces under Gen. John Pope at the Battle of Kettle Run. On October 14, 1863, the last major battle in Northern Virginia was fought here as Confederate soldiers attacked the rear of the withdrawing Union army. The Battle of Bristoe Station proved to be Gen. Robert E. Lee's last operational offensive of the Civil War.
"Twice baptized in blood for Liberty's sake, it will be a place to which in after times pilgrimages will be made by those who revere the glorious, though suffering, past." — Rev. Joseph Hopkins Twitchell, 71st NY Infantry
The Bristoe Station Battlefield area consists of 1,000 acres. Today, the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park preserves 170 acres of the battlefield. The park is located nearby, south of here on Bristow Road.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1861.
Location. 38° 43.948′ N, 77° 32.713′ W. Marker is in Bristow, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is on Bristow Road (Virginia Route 619) just south of Nokesville Road (Virginia Route 28), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11627 Nokesville Road, Bristow VA 20136, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brent Town and Bristow (here, next to this marker); Old Chapel Spring
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 30, 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 1, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.