The Battle of Bristoe Station - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

The Bristoe Campaign was conducted during October 1863 between Gen. R. E. Lee's Confederate forces who were on the offensive against Gen. G. Meade's Union army. The Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park in Bristow, Virginia encompasses the land where the climatic Battle of Bristoe Station was fought.

On Oct. 14, Confederate Lt. Gen. A. P. Hill stumbled upon the retreating Federal V Corps crossing Broad Run and launched an attack unaware that the Federal II Corps under Maj. Gen. G. K. Warren were posted at the Orange & Alexandria Railroad on his right flank. When the advancing Confederates neared the railroad, they were surprised by heavy infantry and artillery fire. The Federals inflicted heavy losses putting the Confederate pursuit in disarray and capturing a Confederate battery of artillery. After nightfall, Warren continued his retreat with no further harassment.

Lee was terribly angry with Hill and reprimanded him for his rash action. The Confederate army withdrew to the south of the Rappahannock River after destroying the railroad. Although several more skirmishes followed during the campaign, the Battle of Bristoe Station basically ended what would be Lee's last offensive of the war.

The 1.3 mile A. P. Hill's Folly self-guided walking trail is a part of the 133-acre Bristoe Station Heritage Park which was given to the Civil War Preservation Trust in 2002 by Centex Homes when they bought the land and put up a development. Prince William County acquired the park in 2007. There is a visitor kiosk in the parking lot with battle maps and guides. The grounds and trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset free of charge. Guided tours are offered at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the second and fourth weekend of the month from May through October.

References:

• Bristoe Station Battlefield
• On-site information

Type of site: Battlefield Address: Iron Bridge Unit Ave. & Tenth Alabama Way Bristow, VA USA 20136 Phone Number: 703-366-3049 Admission Charged: No Charge Website: [Web Link] Driving Directions: 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.

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