Description
- This Civil War battlefield park commemorates the bravery of the individuals who fought in the battles of First and Second Manassas. These battles were fought early in the war on July 21, 1861, and August 28-30, 1862. The first battle claimed the lives of and injured approximately 900 men. Thirteen months later the armies of the North and South clashed again on this same site. The second conflict was much larger injuring and killing over 23,000 individuals. The outcome of the second battle lead to the Confederate Army's first full scale invasion across the Potomac River into Maryland.
Recreation - To orient yourself and gather information about the site and its history visitors are encouraged to begin their tour at the visitor center and museum. Exhibits at the facility focus on the two battles at Manassas and soldier life during the Civil War. Information on guided tours and other programs is available at the visitor center. A self-guided walking tour of Henry Hill provides an orientation to the events of the first battle fought on the site and begins at the visitor center. A self-guided auto tour of Second Manassas Battlefield leads 12 miles through the park and interprets important landmarks associated with the conflict. Maps and brochures are available at the visitor center for this tour. The Historic Stone House, used as a temporary field hospital by Union forces during both battles, has been restored and is open daily during the summer months and on weekends in the spring and fall.
Several trails lead throughout the park and provide a closer examination of both battlefields. The Stone Bridge Trail is a five and a half mile route, which visits the key sites associated with the First Bull Run campaign, including the Stone Bridge, Matthew's Hill, Stone House and Henry Hill. The Deep Cut Trail covers the second battle in six and a half miles, with stops at the Stone House, Unfinished Railroad, Deep Cut and Chinn Ridge. Both trails begin and end at the Visitor Center, where a trail brochure is also available. Climate - Summers are generally hot and humid in this region often with afternoon thunderstorms. Winter weather is generally cold with variable precipitation. Fall and spring are pleasant times to visit the park, due to fewer tourists and moderate temperatures. Most of the park consists of open fields, that are subject to gusty winds. Location -
This park lies in Prince William and Fairfax Counties, Virginia, approximately 25 miles west of Washington, D.C.
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