On April 10th, we went on a field trip to the Manassas National Battlefield park with our government teacher and classmates. First, we ate lunch, then I walked around the park with my friends. We walked two full rounds and took many photos from different angles, including some beautiful historical spots. One of the most interesting features was the two historic bridges like the stone bridge, which was used during the first Battle of Bull Run in 1861 when union troops crossed and later retreated over it. Around the park there were peaceful bodies of water and streams that made the area look even more beautiful. The reflection of the sky and trees in the water was amazing, and it felt calm and relaxing. I also enjoyed the blooming bluebell flowers that made nature colorful. Taking pictures with my friends was my favorite part of the trip. It was a very fun and special day!A sisterhood gathers on the bridge for a tasty homemade meal made to share. Throughout history, humans have made community in the sharing of our food with one another. Here we are on a hike with my friends. I wanted to take a picture with them, and they invited me to eat a dish from their country. – RosieLet’s not be afraid to be ourselves among friends. Human psychology tells us that personal expression among trusted friends leads to well being. I really enjoyed the trip. It was a long, enjoyable hike. I spent it laughing with my friend. We tried to find some animals to photograph, but we didn’t find any. Here we are walking along the pathway. Many people have walked this way before us. -RosieReflections in nature. The physics of light shows the mirror effect of the reflective nature of H2O. Where is the water in this photo?Bluebells bloom annually along these Virginia banks. They are the official state wildflower. Bluebells, as a plant species, do not age in the way humans or animals do; they have indeterminate lifespans. They can survive and reproduce as long as their environment provides the necessary resources. Bluebell woods, however, can be very old, with some British woodlands containing bluebells being over 400 years old.
Bridges over time. Many roadways in Virginia started as trails for native peoples because of the topography that allowed passage. Lee Highway in Virginia, specifically the segment now known as Langston Boulevard in Arlington County, was established and named in 1919. It was a coast-to-coast highway designed to connect southern states and commemorate General Robert E. Lee. While the highway itself predates the Civil War, the naming and establishment of the Lee Highway Association took place in the 1920s, well after the Civil War ended.
Santiago Ibarra The field trip was nice, all the knowledge there, also is a little impressive that a war began there about 200 years ago, the walk where we could see information points and we had a better idea what happened there.
As a student I’ve always found It difficult to pay attention in the classroom. That’s why going on this field trip was good for me. So we went to this 200-year-old stone bridge.My teacher gave me questions about how to measure the Bridge. For example: what’s the distance from point A across the bridge to point B. In class we’re talking about arches and in the bridge were 2 arches. These arches were destroyed in the Civil War and rebuilt. The bridge is made out of naturally occurring Granite and Limestone.
“The Stone Bridge in Manassas utilizes large, naturally occurring stones for its construction, primarily using granite and limestone. These stones are typically not uniform in size, but rather are large, rough-hewn blocks that are fitted together to form the bridge’s arch and abutments. The bridge was likely built using the corbelling technique, which involves stacking stones in a rough manner.
The Stone Bridge at Manassas National Battlefield has a length of approximately 170 feet. It is also known for being 24 feet wide and the center of the bridge measures 21 feet from creek bed to the top of the wall.
The original Stone Bridge – constructed around 1825 – remained intact through the first battle, but in 1862, Confederates wrecked it. That same year Union engineers built a wood bridge over the ruins, intending their new construction for temporary use. In the 1880’s, a bridge of stone was built on the original location and actively used by vehicles until the early 20th Century. This 1880’s Stone Bridge stands today and was the structure needing restoration.”
-Yibrian R
Jacob: Period 6 Government and Period 4 Geosystems This stream was at bull run park where the civil war took place. In government class I have a choice to read a book about an issue of justice. The book I chose deals with the 1972 Supreme Court case Roe vs Wade which was recently overturned. When I look at this stream over time I see the principles of our country. The rocks are the main principles of our country and over time they break apart creating little rock through erosion. The water in the stream is like time passing by over time breaking down the big rocks. The power of the people over time. Water is like the power and if it is not properly channeled it can destroy a lot of things in its way, but if it is controlled then it can give life to our ecosystem and help it grow into something better. The big rocks are like the constitution The small rocks and sand broken off of the big rocks are like the changes and additions to the law over time. Judges in the Supreme Court examine these laws and actions to see that they remain “constitutional” or in conformity with the original rocks. Over time streambeds can fill with sediment and pollution; the muddy sediment or mixed in pollution of a stream is like the abuse of power and the corruption that is in our country. Sometimes the water rushes or gets blocked causing destruction; these times of crisis are like the Civil War in the 1860’s.
The Mt. View brotherhood. One student suggested that it would be fun to get a photo of the men and the women separately, This is a reminder that we need the differences and the similarities in our friendships. We are Mt. View Family.The Mt. View Sisters. Friendship builds trust and motivation in learning and it is the bridge of peace in our society.Kim: From this field trip , this image shows me that this is the first major land battle of the American Civil War. The Union General Irvin Mcdowell led the Union Force against the Confederate General. This event revealed the harsh condition of the battle and the realities of the conflict during the war. This battle helped us know the importance of strategy planning and the impact of this event. This is a long battle and not an easy victory. This is a place where spies from the Southern states saw the Union Army crossing the stream from above the ravine. The Union army did not want to be seen crossing the bridge so they went upstream but the spies knew they were coming and gave advance warning to the waiting confederate forces on the top of the hill.
ANDRES P. Pd.5 – English 10 This image represents tranquility and freedom, with a wide, open countryside landscape and a cloudy sky suggesting calm and reflection. It can symbolize the peace of the countryside in contrast to the fast-paced life of the city, and serve as the setting for a story in English about personal discovery, connection with nature, or even loneliness.A native of New Jersey, Abraham Van Pelt arrived in Prince William County in the 1850s. The 70-year-old Van Pelt, accompanied by his wife Jemima and daughter Elizabeth, settled on a 230-acre farm they called “Avon”. The farm’s location, astride the Warrenton Turnpike and overlooking Bull Run, drew the attention of both armies during the Civil War. Confederate troops deployed here during First Manassas to guard the Stone Bridge.
Thirteen months later during Second Manassas, Union soldiers commandeered the house and outbuildings for hospital use. Throughout it all, the Van Pelts remained staunch Unionists in their adopted home, in stark contrast to many of their neighbors. Facing repeated Confederate harassment, Abraham and Jemima returned to New Jersey, while their daughter remained behind to manage the farm.
Following the war, Elizabeth Van Pelt filed a claim for damages to the estate of her father, who died in 1866. The government awarded the family $320. Fire destroyed the house in the early 1930s.
We walk separately and together. Crossing the bridge together we realize that some need more space than others, some look in different directions, some lead the way and others follow. We all learn differently together.The battlefield is preserved. There is beauty in nature. This is sacred ground in our history because so many lost their lives here. The cycle of life is all around us in nature as we see new hope blooming in the Spring season. The purple/pink tree in the center of this photo is known as a “Redbud”. The Eastern Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) has a significant history intertwined with the Civil War and beyond. It was planted in Virginia and other states, and its symbolic meaning and use in various ceremonies, including memorial plantings, connect it to the war and its aftermath. Additionally, the redbud’s association with Judas Iscariot and its use in traditional medicine further enrich its historical context.Trail along the edge of woodland and farm fields. The landscape is preserved to be much like it was 160 years ago when soldiers gathered on farm fields to fight because there weapons were more effective. Often the woodlands were used for hiding and for traveling undetected on foot but it was much easier to maneuver cannons and brigades of men on an open field. The cloud and light in this photo reminds us of our mixed history and the stormy weather of conflict during the Civil War.– Adonay pd 2 Govt Class with Mr. Hardy On July 21, 1861, the First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas, was fought. It was the first major land battle of the American Civil War. Union forces, commanded by General Irvin McDowell, faced Confederates, led by General P.G.T. Beauregard. The result was a Confederate victory. The consequences surprised many in the North, who had expected a swift and decisive victory. It forced both sides to recognize that the war would be long and bloody.The Second Battle of Bull Run or Battle of Second Manassas[1] was fought August 28–30, 1862,[2] in Prince William County, Virginia, as part of the American Civil War. It was the culmination of the Northern Virginia Campaign waged by Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia against Union Maj. Gen. John Pope’s Army of Virginia, and a battle of much larger scale and numbers than the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Manassas) fought on July 21, 1861, on the same ground.The five lempira coin has something similar to the photo of Union retreat during the U.S. Civil War, The Battle of La Trinidad, which took place on November 11, 1827, was a key victory for Francisco Morazán in Honduras during the period of revolutions in Central America. This victory allowed Morazán to take control of Tegucigalpa and Comayagua, the state capital, marking a turning point in the Central American Civil War. I am from Trujillio, Honduras; a historic Spanish colonial city of 23,000 on the Northern Carribean coast of Hunduras. Trujillo, Honduras, was originally named “Triunfo de la Cruz” (Triumph of the Cross) and then renamed after the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes; who arrived in the region. The name “Trujillo” comes from the Spanish city of Trujillo, in the region of Extremadura, Spain. –Adonay pd 2 Govt Class with Mr. Hardy
Tres Amigos Por El Rio; the flow of time and the joy in the moment. These friends gather beneath the 200 year old stone bridge The formation of Bull Run, like most rivers and streams, is tied to the geological history of the region. It’s impossible to pinpoint an exact date, but it’s safe to assume it existed long before the first historical records of the area.Much like the soldiers of the Civil War who walked everywhere; we walked upon these grounds. We did ride a bus maybe like those soldiers from the South who came to Manassas by train. We had school staff as our leaders who gave us instructions in groups just like Civil War soldiers who had leaders by rank. Also like the Civil War soldiers we were scattered across the woods and field and we regrouped at the bridge. Unlike the soldiers, we did not lose any in our number nor did we face enemy fire.This photo shows the flowing waters of time and the cycle of life. As trees fall to the ground they slowly become dirt which feeds new growth. Our lives today are part of a larger cycle of life. We inherit resources to use wisely so that we may preserve them for future generations. Nature reminds us to open our eyes to the bigger reality beyond ourselves. All life is interconnected.A student view of the bridge where we gathered for a meal and a walk through science, math, humanity and history. The Stone Bridge in Manassas, VA, was originally built in 1825. The original bridge was destroyed in 1862, but a new bridge, designed similarly to the original, was rebuilt in 1884. The bridge that exists today is the 1884 reconstruction. This photo shows the historic stone bridge at the Manassas Battlefield, nestled in the middle of the peaceful nature reserve. The bridge played a role in one of the first battles of the American civil war. The Federal government preserves the site through national parks to help younger generations learn about the country’s history.
