Vienna-OaktonTour Marching Orders
Saturday 6 September 2025
Vienna (Ayr Hill) –
Oakton (Flint Hill) Civil War Tour
BRCWRT Tour Marching Orders
Subject Matter: Reminiscing what life was like in the area during the American Civil War
Tour Guides: Jim Lewis & Brian McEnany
Gathering Time/Assembly Location: 8:30 AM / Freeman Store & Museum, 131 Church St., N.E., Vienna (next to the W&OD Bike Trail) – park anywhere on Church St.
Tour Start Time: 8:45 AM
Tour Duration: 3-1/2 hrs.
Lunch (targeted 12:00 PM): Famous Dave’s BBQ - Oakton (Individual tabs)
• Afterwards, return to the Freeman Store
Mode of Transportation / Clothing: Caravan / Comfortable attire (nominal walking)
Tour Sites include:
1. Freeman Store & Museum: Known as Lydecker’s during the civil war, this structure served many purposes (succession voting precinct, hospital, officer’s quarters, RR depot, post office, etc.) and served several other historical sites/events, including the Battle of Vienna, a Union Cavalry Brigade, and was a major element of the Union’s early-warning line for the defenses of the City of Washington.
2. Windover Heights Historic District: This area served as the camp grounds for the NY 16th Cav., a part of the 1st Independent Cavalry Brigade.
3. 7th Day Adventist Church (drive-by): Where the 1st S.C. Inf. heard railroad whistle, spurring them to reverse course back to Vienna and resulted in the Battle of Vienna.
4. Sutton Rd. (drive-by): Road to the old Sutton farmhouse (cur. Oakton H.S.)
5. Flint Hill Cemetery: An acclaimed historic cemetery that is situated on an existent Confederate fort and where (28) Civil War veterans (incl. 4 Mosby Rangers) are interred. Several of their stories will detail what the life was like back in the say.
6. Flint Hill Stockade (drive-by): Constructed late in the war (located between the current Methodist Church and Blake Lane in the village of Flint Hill).
7. Miller Heights: Where Conf. Gen. JEB Stuart’s cavalry attempted to flank Union Gen. John Pope’s AOP during the Battle of Ox Hill/Chantilly.
8. Fort Flint: Constructed by the Union to guard key intersections as part of the Union’s early warning line. A period photo of the structure will be shown.
9. Mosby’s Tree: 250-300 years old, local lore has it that here an altercation between Alexander Haight (owner/operator of Little Sully) and Confederate John Singleton Mosby occurred during 2nd Manassas/Bull Run. It is also thought this is where the local rangers gathered to receive their mission orders.
Cost: Free to All
BRCWRT Contact: Jim Lewis, antietam1862@verizon.net 703 593-2956