MANASSAS, Va. – The Manassas Battlefield Trust is mobilizing local supporters to fund a major archaeological effort just outside Manassas National Battlefield Park. The project’s first goal is to confirm the burial site of Timothy Dunklin, a 16‑year‑old Texan who fought for the Confederacy in the Second Battle of Manassas and died in August 1862.
“This was before we had dog tags in the U.S. military,” explained Cherie Johnston, executive director of the Trust. “When people fell, families often never learned where their loved ones were laid to rest.” Johnston noted that Dunklin’s family purchased a small parcel of land and erected a monument there – an uncommon act for the era.
Fundraising and technology
The Trust hopes to raise enough money to deploy ground‑penetrating radar, a non‑invasive method that can pinpoint burial locations without disturbing the ground. If the radar confirms Dunklin’s remains, the Trust plans to fully restore his monument and transform the surrounding area into a public space for education and remembrance.
Johnston added that the effort could also reveal other soldiers’ graves, “both those who fought for the Confederacy and those who fought for the Union.” Union soldiers identified in the survey would be re‑interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full honors, while any additional Confederate remains would be buried nearby in a respectful, consolidated plot.
Historical context and community response
When asked why the Trust is preserving a Confederate soldier’s grave, Johnston offered a nuanced view of the era. “At that time, many Americans identified first with their state. For many Texans, enlisting was about joining neighbors and community, not necessarily about supporting slavery,” she said. She emphasized that the project is about honoring all who sacrificed, regardless of the side they fought on.
Local residents have expressed mixed feelings, but many recognize the value of preserving history for future generations. The Trust’s plan includes educational signage that will explain the complex motivations of 19th‑century soldiers and the broader impact of the Civil War on Virginia and the nation.
How the public can help
Supporters can contribute through the Trust’s website, where donors receive updates on the radar survey’s progress and invitations to future commemorative events. The Trust also encourages volunteers to participate in site clean‑up days and to share the project with schools and churches in Prince William County.
By combining modern technology with community stewardship, the Manassas Battlefield Trust aims to bring closure to descendants, deepen public understanding of the Civil War, and preserve a historic landscape for generations to come.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
