A line of unusually fierce thunderstorms struck at the beginning of the battle which seemed only to increase the battle's intensity and the combatants resolve. With thunderous claps of lightning and cannon providing a surreal backdrop, both the battle and storm raged on until dark.

In the moonless night and rain, both sides began to mutually withdraw after having suffered 2100 casualties in only a few hours... Some of the regiments reported higher casualties during this last battle of the Second Manassas Campaign than in the previous three days of fighting! The 21st Massachusetts had it's heaviest loss of the entire war... losing almost half of the regiment by the time the battle had ended.

In the end, because of Generals Stevens' and Kearny's courage, that cost them their lives... nineteen Union regiments were able to tenaciously attack and pin down sixty-seven regiments of Stonewall Jackson's Corps (Wing). This unknown but strategically important battle saved Pope's Army of Virginia and allowed it to escape to the defenses of Washington. It also convinced General Lee to move north... ultimately leading to the Battle of Antietam.

A Battlefield's Demise

In the early 1990's, the battlefield was developed into high density town homes and businesses with a four lane road cutting right through the heart of the battlefield. The pro-devolopment local government even wrote to the developer offering to move the memorials of the two Union Generals (who had been killed during the battle) to a location of the developers choosing.

Knowing Fairfax County's pro-development stance and being native to the area, this private archaeological salvage survey was quietly conducted from 1976 to 1986. This was done before the battlefield of 300 acres, which was still largely intact, was destroyed piece meal. The archeologocal salvage suvey has been validated by numerous archeologists, historians, educational institutions in addition to well known archeological and historical publications both here in the U.S. and abroad for the past 12 years.

However, there was one last chance to salvage the remains of those who fought on this hallowed ground and any artifacts that might be recovered when the tree and root systems were removed. I had worked on that section of the battlefield 4 years prior to Centinnel purchasing the land (with the permission of the individual landowners). Although I had sufficent information already, I also had a reasonable idea where at least one grave may still be located. The request was denied by the developer (Centinnial) who now owned the land. The County never attempted any survey of the battlefield and wrote a letter saying they didn't have the resources. It was my understanding that a developer or government could not build on a graveyard. A Vermont soldier in passing by the Battlefield of Ox Hill (Chantilly) just before Christmas 1862 remarked...

"I have paid a visit to the old Chantilly battle field, two miles from here, (Fairfax Courthouse) and in which engagement the noble Kearney and the gallant Stevens fell. In passing over the field, what horrible scenes were presented to my view; I pray to God that I may never witness the like again. Human bones lay in every direction, half covered bodies met my gaze, showing that no pains had been taken in their burial, and revealing the horrors of a battle field, stamping indelibly upon my mind impressions that time can never eradicate."    

As it turned out the battlefield was bulldozed well below the strata layer of the original battlefield and what artifacts or remains that were found were not recovered in relation to the battle but were churned up and scattered by the bulldozers. My understanding was just about anyone was let in after the land was bulldozed and could keep what they found.

This exhibit and  "A Last Salute" illustrate how quickly opportunities to chronicle our heritage can disappear. However, the Internet now presents us with a way to capture these historical moments and is part of the reason why there was some measure of preservation available for the public. It has also allowed this virtual battlefield to be shared by a greater number of people than originally ever dreamed of.  Hopefully... you may even get a fleeting glance into the souls of those whose footsteps we follow, and feel their humanity, courage and pain.

Please enjoy your stay and come back and visit as often as you wish.