Sense Civil War turmoil over 133 pastoral acres

Standing in Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, picturesque silo in the background, you might never know you were standing on hallowed ground.

The park faces Bristow Road. To the left, a miniature city of new homes stares at a busy Va. 28 and shopping plaza. In front, earth movers plunge into cleared land, preparing the way for a new cut-through to Va. 28.

And yet, on this 133-acre preserved site in western Prince William County, in August 1861, the Confederates set up Camp Jones. Measles and typhoid fever killed many until the Confederates left in February 1862.

Through the Battlefield, the Orange and Alexandria Railroad provided the main source of supply delivery. On Aug. 26, 1862, Confederate generals Stonewall Jackson and J.E.B. Stuart captured Bristoe Station and wrecked two Union supply trains at the site. On Aug. 27, CS Division Commander Richard Ewell fought Gen. Joseph Hooker in what is now known as the battle of Kettle Run at Bristoe Station.

In 1863, Confederate Commander A.P. Hill ambushed Gen. G.K. Warren's commanding Federal II Corps. Ultimately, Federal soldiers under Warren defeated Hill's forces.

One hundred and fifty-two years later, David M. Born, historic programs coordinator and site manager, rolls these facts off the tip of his tongue. When asked how he remembers it all, Born laughed, "My head is filled with all kinds of trivia."

But that trivia is the history of Bristow, the budding community off Nokesville, Linton Hall, Wellington, Bristow and Devlin Roads, Nokesville Road now called "Route 28."

Born is well equipped to utilize what he calls "trivia." An agricultural and history major, Born self-studied environmental science. "I've always been interested in history," he said. "I advocate for scientific history like anthropology and archeology." He also serves as site manager for Manassas' Ben Lomond Historic Site.

In Bristoe, poles have been installed on the 2.75 miles of trails, marking points of interest. As site development continues, a kiosk with self-tour pamphlets will be available. Placards will eventually replace the posts, providing visitors with histories of each spot. Speed of progress depends on the budget.

Not many people, especially newer residents, know about the Bristoe Battlefield since it just opened in October 2007. In 2006, 27 acres of the land were acquired from development company Centex under a proffer agreement. The county purchased an additional six acres.

Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park has a lot to offer: local national and Civil War history and wildlife. Yet the park budget could be cut anywhere from 10 to 30 percent, which might include staff. Right now, only 12 employees serve as guides, historians, site managers and administrators.

"We feel in the History Preservation Division we ought to save as much as we can because eventually, it won't be here anymore," Born said.

He added he is happy to provide more information at 703-257-5243 or .

This is the second in a series of articles on Western Prince William County's historic sites.