Manassas National Battlefield Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Manassas National Battlefield Park |
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Period fence at Manassas Battlefield
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 Manassas National Battlefield Park
Location in Virginia
Manassas National Battlefield Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Prince William County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Gainesville, Virginia. U.S. |
| Area | 5,073 acres (20.53 km2) |
| Established | November 14, 1936 |
| Visitors | 715,622 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Manassas National Battlefield Park |
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Manassas National Battlefield Park
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| NRHP reference No. | 66000039 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Manassas National Battlefield Park is a special place in Prince William County, Virginia. It protects the land where two major battles of the American Civil War took place. These battles are called the First Battle of Bull Run (also known as First Manassas) and the Second Battle of Bull Run (or Second Manassas).
It was also here that a famous Confederate general, Thomas J. Jackson, earned his nickname "Stonewall." The park was created in 1936. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
More than 700,000 people visit this battlefield every year. The Henry Hill Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit. It has exhibits about the First Battle of Bull Run. You can see Civil War uniforms, weapons, and gear. There's also an electronic map that shows how the battle happened. The center also shows a film called Manassas: End of Innocence and has a bookstore.
In 2014, something amazing was found at the park. Bone fragments led to the discovery of two Union soldiers' skeletons. They were found in what experts believe was a "Surgeon's Pit." This pit likely held bones from many injured soldiers. Scientists used carbon dating to figure out that these soldiers died during the Second Battle of Manassas in August 1862. Their remains were moved in June 2018. The US Army buried them with honor in Arlington National Cemetery.
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Exploring Manassas Battlefield
The park has many important spots where history happened. You can visit these places to imagine what it was like during the battles.
The Stone House
This old house was used as a hospital during both big battles. It is located near the intersection of Sudley Road and Lee Highway. Imagine the doctors and nurses working here to help injured soldiers.
Stone Bridge
The Union army retreated across this bridge after the Second Battle of Bull Run. It crosses a stream just north of Lee Highway. This bridge was a key escape route for the soldiers.
Brawner's Farm
This farm was where the Second Battle of Bull Run began. Today, its parking lot is off Pageland Lane. The farm has been made into a museum. It teaches visitors all about the Second Battle of Bull Run.
Battery Heights
Confederate cannons were placed here. They fired at the Union troops attacking Brawner's Farm. You can find this spot off Lee Highway. It shows how important cannons were in the war.
Matthews Hill
This hill was where the First Battle of Bull Run started. It is located off Sudley Road. This was the very first clash of the two armies in that battle.
The Unfinished Railroad Grade
General Jackson's soldiers lined up here before the second battle. They had just captured a supply depot from the Union general, John Pope. This spot is off Featherbed Lane.
The Deep Cut
General Pope launched most of his attacks against the Unfinished Railroad Grade from here. It is also off Featherbed Lane. This area saw intense fighting.
Groveton Village
Groveton was a small village during the Civil War. Now, only a small house where Lucinda Dogan lived remains. There is also a Confederate Cemetery nearby. Both are off Lee Highway.
New York Monuments
These two monuments honor soldiers from the 5th and 10th New York Regiments. The 5th New York Zouaves lost 123 men in just five minutes here. This happened when Hood's men advanced. You can find them off Lee Highway, near Young's Branch.
Hazel Plain
This was once the Chinn family's plantation. Now, only the foundation of the house remains. It is directly across from the Henry Hill Visitors Center.
Chinn Ridge
This ridge is across from Hazel Plain. General James Longstreet led a huge counterattack here during the second battle. A trail leads to a boulder honoring Union Colonel Fletcher Webster. He was killed trying to stop the Confederate attack.
Portici Plantation
This was Francis Lewis's plantation, now in ruins. It served as the Confederate Headquarters during the first battle. Small fights between companies also happened on the nearby fields.
Robinson House
This house belonged to James Robinson, a free Black man. It is now in ruins, sadly lost to a fire in 1993. You can reach it by walking the Henry Hill Loop Trail.
Stonewall Jackson Monument
This bronze monument stands on Henry Hill. It honors General Thomas J. Jackson. It also tells the story of how he got his famous nickname, "Stonewall."
See also
- Manassas Peace Jubilee (1911)
