Engraving: Civil War Action Near Fairfax

This engraving appeared in the August 17, 1861 edition of The Illustrated London News. The caption reads: "The Civil War in America: Carolinian pickets flying before the advance of the Federal troops on Fairfax.--From a sketch by our special artist." A statement referring to the sketch in the same edition reads: "The advance of the Federal troops on Fairfax was so rapid that the pickets thrown out by the Confederate army on an obstructed road which the Federals avoided were nearly cut off. They fled precipitately over the obstacles intended to stay the progress of the Unionists. An Illustration of this scene is given on the next page." It may report on operations leading to the First Battle of Manassas/Bull Run that had occurred a month earlier, when Federal troops advanced through Fairfax to Centreville and Manassas via several roads, including Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road. Earlier skirmishing between Federal and Confederate units had occurred in Fairfax in June 1861.

Courtesy John Browne

Braddock District in the Civil War

During the Civil War, the area now considered the Braddock District lay between northern and southern strongholds intersected by critical railroad lines. This map shows points of conflict between the Washington, DC, and Alexandria area, extending west to Centreville and Manassas.

Charles K. Gailey's article "Braddock District in the Civil War" explains the geography of battles in the area and tells how to locate additional information. He is a member of the Fairfax County Archaeological Services of the Park Authority.

The map is a portion of an 1862 map compiled in the Topographical Engineers Office in the Division Headquarters of General Irvin McDowell, an officer in the Union army, a leader of early battles in Manassas.

Map of N. Eastern Virginia and vicinity of Washington provided by Fairfax County Public Library, Virginia Room

Oral History: Mayo Stuntz

Mayo Stuntz is a descendant of the Fitzhugh family who came to the area in the 1600s. Born in 1915, he traces his genealogy, childhood, and county history. He talks about growing up in the county and its historic sites. Mayo Stuntz is a founding member of the Fairfax County History Commission and he discusses the work of that body.

Oral History: Steve Reynolds

Steve Reynolds calls himself an amateur historian. He developed a haunted history tour of the county, built on legends rooted in history. He talks about his research and the stories.

Oral History: Ruth Miller

Ruth Miller moved to the Braddock District from Flint, Michigan in 1961. A single mother of three, she taught elementary school. Ruth Miller discusses artifacts of earlier years and the changing geography of the community.

Oral History, Part 1: Lee Hubbard

Part 1 of two parts. Lee Hubbard's family can trace its roots in Fairfax County to the 1700s. He discusses his childhood and milestone events. Lee Hubbard became a member of the police department and he talks about criminal cases, traffic, and the growth, administration, and operation of the police department.

Oral History: Robin Hirst

Robin Hirst grew up among influential people when her father, Omer Hirst, served as a Virginia State Legislator. Her family's farm near Burke has been subdivided and developed, but the unique house they built, Hirst House, remains. She shares memories of her childhood, people she met, and her involvement in equestrian sports.

Oral History: Bill Hellwig

Bill Hellwig's family moved to Fairfax County in 1952. His father, a civil engineer, conducted studies for developers on the feasibility of land tracts for development, including the preliminary engineering work for most of Springfield. Bill Hellwig joined the Park Authority after college graduation and by 2005 had worked for the Authority for 33 years. He discusses the development of the parks and their programs.

Oral History: Tom Giska

Tom Giska joined the faculty as a science teacher at Lake Braddock High School in 1974, the school's second year in operation. He discusses the growth of the school and historic events in the early history of Fairfax County. Tom Giska has compiled a comprehensive history of the Burke area including people and events.

Oral History: Richard Ernst

Richard Ernst was the first president of Northern Virginia Community College and served in that capacity for 30 years. He discusses the growth of the institution since 1968.