Manassas National Battlefield Park

The Civil War may have been the darkest hour in United States history, scarring the countryside with bloodied battlefields where brother sometimes fought brother to the death. The first major engagement took place near present-day Manassas, only 20 miles west of Washington, DC.

Although the 28,000 union troops were still relatively untrained, President Lincoln succumbed to critics who wanted a quick end to the rebellion, and authorized an attack near Manassas Junction. In all, there were some 33,000 southern troops waiting for the attack.

The Confederate troops were defending along a river known as Bull Run and when the smoke cleared Union troops were forced to flee back across that small waterway using Stone Bridge-which can still be seen at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Generals from the South had a habit of naming engagements for the nearest settlement, hence the engagement was called Battle of Manassas. The North, on the other hand, named battles for nearby rivers, or in this case the Battle of Bull Run.

Full-scale fighting broke out on July 21, 1861, although it was preceded by several smaller skirmishes in the area. Nearly a year later, the second Battle of Manassas would take place on virtually the same site. The South won both times.

Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson got his nickname during the first engagement for "standing there like a stone wall" when Union forces were breaking through the lines. Some historians argue the officer who made the statement didn't mean it to be endearing. Jackson was apparently oblivious to other units being overrun, so some theorize the comment was really meant to be taken as, "there he stands like a stone wall" while we're being killed. We'll never know, though, since witnesses never filed a post-action report and the person who said it was killed during the battle.

But the legend lives on, and if you visit Manassas National Battlefield, those very words grace a huge statue there in honor of Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson. Established in 1940, the park is relatively small when compared to other National Park Service sites-it covers only 5,000 acres.

To get to the park's headquarters, take Interstate 66 west from DC. Then turn north on 234 (exit 47B) and you'll be on Sudley Road. Follow it north for a few miles and the main park entrance will be on your right, just after you pass Northern Virginia Community College.

Manassas National Battlefield Park headquarters is wheelchair accessible, open for business every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas and Thanksgiving and it has a museum with interpretive displays. Entrance fees are $3 per person (16 and older) or an annual pass is $20 per person.

From there you can take a gentle, 1-mile hike along Henry Hill Loop Trail past Henry House, which fell victim to some of the first artillery shots-the non-combatants killed there are buried outside. You'll also go past Jackson's statue and the scenes of several important skirmishes. At specific spots a kiosk will audibly explain what happened on each site and even quote letters from the survivors.

You can also go for a guided tour with a ranger, or take the driving tour. Stone Bridge, for example, is several miles from the park's headquarters, but it's a critical part of the history. Other spots in the park include Matthews Hill, Brawner Farm, Deep Cut, Unfinished Railroad and Chinn Ridge. Canons can be seen along the hillsides, and it's scenic and awe inspiring, even during a casual drive.

Every Saturday at noon volunteers and rangers put on musket demonstrations and reenactors provide entertainment during four commemorative weekends held each summer. If you're near the Washington, DC, area, Manassas National Battlefield Park is definitely worth a visit. Crowds are rarely a problem and at only minutes from downtown Manassas, it's a side trip the entire family can enjoy. For more information call (703) 361-1339.