Thoroughfare Gap Battlefield facts for kids
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Thoroughfare Gap Battlefield
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Historical marker, with Beverly Mill in the background
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 Location in Northern Virginia
Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Junction of Interstate 66 and State Route 55, Broad Run, Virginia |
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| Area | 514 acres (208 ha) |
| Built | 1862 |
| Architectural style | Federal, Mid 19th Century Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001374 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 18, 1999 |
The Thoroughfare Gap Battlefield is a special place in Virginia. It's where an important battle happened during the American Civil War. This historic battlefield is found near Broad Run, Virginia, in Prince William County, Virginia. It's a key spot because of its location in a mountain pass called Thoroughfare Gap.
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What is Thoroughfare Gap Battlefield?
This battlefield is where the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap took place in 1862. It was a smaller but very important fight. The battle helped set the stage for the larger Second Battle of Bull Run, also known as Second Manassas. Soldiers fought here to control the mountain pass. This pass was a crucial route through the Bull Run Mountains.
Why Was This Location Important?
Thoroughfare Gap was like a natural doorway through the mountains. It was a perfect place for armies to move through. It was also a good spot to stop an enemy army. Controlling this gap meant controlling who could pass. This made it a very strategic location during the Civil War.
Key Features of the Battlefield
The battlefield still has many things from the time of the battle. These include old buildings and natural features. One of the most famous is Beverley Mill. This large stone building is five stories tall. It was used by soldiers during the battle. Sharpshooters even used its top windows to defend the pass.
Other important spots you can still see are:
- Meadowlands: This was the Chapman family's house.
- The second Upper Mill: Another old mill in the area.
- An ice pit: Used for storing ice long ago.
- A walled cemetery: Where the Chapman family is buried.
Protecting History: The Battlefield Today
The Thoroughfare Gap Battlefield was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site. Groups like the Civil War Trust (now part of the American Battlefield Trust) work to protect these lands. They have saved over 100 acres of the battlefield.
You can visit parts of the battlefield today. There's a walking trail near the ruins of Chapman's Mill. This mill is north of Interstate 66. You can also find historical markers along Virginia Route 55. These markers help explain what happened there. They tell the story of the brave soldiers who fought at Thoroughfare Gap.
