Stafford's Civil War forts may be preserved

STAFFORD, Va. - A small patch of land that's been sitting undisturbed for more than 140 years will now get some recognition for the role it played during the Civil War.

Stafford County has uncovered four Civil War redoubts, 15-foot high structures of wood and dirt which had been hidden deep in the woods, just off Eskimo Hill Road. The 25 acres had been destined to be used to expand the Stafford County landfill.

They served as a home for more than 120,000 Union troops between 1862 and 1864. The troops gathered and rested there before and after the Battles of Fredericksburg in 1862, Chancellorsville in 1863 and again for the Wilderness Campaign of 1864. The battles were among the bloodiest of the Civil War.

The forts are unique, according to Stafford Supervisor Paul Milde.

"This is different because no one has a collection of standing redoubts like this. Four redoubts that are in great shape. They're huge."

The site has since been overrun by tree growth.

"There wasn't a tree standing in Stafford County during the Civil War," said Milde.

"They were all cut down to create a clear field of fire and also to build the huts for the thousands of Union troops that were here."

The forts also were used to protect the rail line along the Rappahannock River that was often used to take troops to and from battles. The redoubts are up on top of huge hills, overlooking lower ground.

Milde is working to preserve the site, which also includes a Colonial-era quarry.

There was never a battle at the site 25 miles south of Washington, but thousands of wounded troops returning from the three major battles died there.

The county is looking at preservation, public access that might include a walking trail or a single lane road and interpretive signs to commemorate the sacrifice of those who died there.

But there are some people who would like to see the site left as it is.

If the land is preserved, it will shorten the life of the landfill by about five years. However, Milde says the county is hoping recycling and other waste reductions can make up for that.

Virginia has more Civil War sites than any other state. There were 123 separate battles in the Old Dominion.

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