History Research Paper: Prince William County
             The history of Prince William County played a crucial role during the civil war. Both the history of the United States and the history of Virginia Piedmont were shaped by the events occurred in Prince William County. There are several important civil war sites in Prince William County in addition to the battleground now preserved in the Manassas National Battlefield Park.
             In April of 1861 union troops raided Brentsville for building supplies, and at least five original structures survived the war. Brentsville Historic center is made up of a courthouse, rail, church and a one-room schoolhouse. Generals of both sides, the union and confederacy recognized the importance of the towns location at the junction of Alexandria, Orange, and Manassas Gap Railroads. By capturing the Manassas railroad junction, the union would have advantage of the best overland route to Richmond, the Confederate capitol. The confederacy was willing to protect the station at all costs.
             In Mclean Farm is where the battle occurred on Rt 28 near present-day Yorkshire market. Five thousand soldiers lost their lives in the first battle of Manassas along the shores of Bull Run Creek, the first major battle of the civil war. About a year later both armies clashed again in Prince William County. Even though the confederacy had won the victory the previous year, the union army still remained a big threat. The town of Brentsville was raided constantly by union troops for supplies at Bristoe Station, west of old town Manassas on Rt 28. In 1862 at Bristoe Station, "Stonewall" Jackson's army captured the general John Popes union troops. The confederates destroyed the Broad Run Bridge and cut telegraph wires, disturbing all communication and supply with Washington D.C.
             Confederate troops marched down to the familiar grounds of the first battle of Manassas surprising the union troops and starting the seco...