Birds flit among crimson, yellow and pumpkin orange leaves of the piedmont forest. Green grass undulates over the countryside, punctuated by stone and wood-sided historic buildings. With the exception of the blackened Parrott rifles lined up on Henry Hill and weathered tombstones scattered over the meadow, the picture is peacefully pastoral. But make no mistake, there’s blood in the soil beneath your feet. Visiting Manassas National Battlefield Park is so much more than just a walk in the park.

Mid-summer, 1861 saw 35,000 Union soldiers head south from Washington in hopes of capturing the Confederate stronghold of Richmond, Virginia and ending the Civil War. Manassas was the first major battle and the resulting carnage shocked both north and south. Ten hours of fighting, close to 900 bodies on the ground, including 85-year-old Judith Carter Henry – the only civilian killed during the battle when she was caught in the midst of artillery fire.

We joined Park Ranger Gregory Wolf for a walk around Henry Hill – past the Parrott rifles, on to the two-story Henry House (rebuilt after the war) and the grave of Judith Carter Henry, overlooking the Stone House (a Union hospital during battle) and Matthews Hill in the distance, circling around the Bull Run Monument (built in 1865 with 200-pound Parrott shells incorporated into the structure) and winding up near the super-sized statue of Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. It was a walk unlike any other, at once beautiful and horrific, both calming and unsettling, peaceful and war-torn. It was a walk not easy to forget.

First-time visitors to the 5,000-acre park should start the Henry Hill Visitor Centre. The 45-minute documentary of the battles (First and Second Manassas) recounts the events in sobering detail. The museum includes artifacts and additional interpretation of the significance of the battles. Seasonal, ranger-led, hike information can be also found here. Park maps outline the 25 miles of hiking trails, including self-guided interpretive hikes at Stone Bridge, Matthews Hill, Brawner Farm, Deep Cut, Unfinished Railroad and Chinn Ridge. Special events will be held at the park marking the Sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of the first battle in 2011.

If you go:
• Manassas National Battlefield Park is located 5 ½ miles north of downtown Manassas; 15 miles southwest of Dulles International Airport.
• A 3-day pass to Manassas National Battlefield Park is $3 (under 16 free); $3 for optional park movie (Manassas: End of Innocence).
• For more information about the area, contact the Prince William County/Manassas CVB toll-free at 1-800-432-1792 or visit them online at www.visitpwc.com.