A first: Sign in Korean and Spanish at Ox Hill (Chantilly) battlefield park reaches target audiences in a very diverse Virginia county

Before the Civil War sesquicentennial began 10 years ago, officials in Fairfax County, Va., put up 18 signs in a park that recalls the Battle of Ox Hill, or Chantilly. The signs detail an attempt by Confederates led by Maj. Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson to cut off a Union retreat from Manassas on Sept. 1, 1862.

The text -- typical of the time-- was all in English. But something interesting has happened since they were erected.

The suburban Washington, D.C., community became more and more diverse and, as of this year, an estimated 30-38 percent of residents in neighborhoods near the green space speak a language other than English at home.

Ox Hill Battlefield Park recently got a new sign – written in Korean and Spanish – that speaks to these relative newcomers to the area. The unveiling in early May was linked to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Virginia-based Civil War Trails, which has 1,350 markers across six states, installed its first bilingual sign at the site, which is surrounded by apartments, townhomes and commercial development.

“The onus is on us to write signs that are exciting, inclusive and popular,” Executive Director Drew Gruber told the Picket. “People need to find themselves in that story.”

And immigrants are a big part of the Civil War story. A staggering one in four soldiers in the Union army were immigrant. They fought for a variety of reasons.

Sign is in Spanish and Korean (Photos courtesy of Civil War Trails, click to enlarge)

Civil War Trails worked with the county, the Old Baldy Civil War Round Table in New Jersey, the Bull Run Civil War Round Table nearby and other partners on the project.

They took an old sign and crowd sourced text in Korean and Spanish for a brief summary of the battle. There also is a “sidebar” on the marker describing the percentage of immigrants in the country in 1860.

It’s important for the international visitors to relate to the 4.8-acre park and that local history be accessible, said Gruber.

“Very much like them, there were soldiers on both sides who did not speak English,” he said.

Civil War Trails got a big boost from rich, deep demographic information that Fairfax County keeps. Fairfax County has about 400,000 residents with Hispanic/Latino or Asian/Pacific Islander ethnicity, according to online data.

It then worked with local consultants on the language to be sure it was conversant and the marker used culturally appropriate terms. An example: Camp was used rather than the term bivouac, Gruber said.

Fanciful depiction of Kearny's charge (Augustus Tholey, Wikipedia)

Jeremy Suh, a Korean translator and interpreter in the area, contributed to the project.

“The DC metro area, known for memorials and historic sites, has almost no Korean signs nor translations available. The area has 150,000 Koreans. I grew up in Korea, moving here at the age of 26, living here since,” he told the Picket.

“As a first-generation immigrant, I heard about the Civil War and my knowledge and understanding remained very superficial. I believe this is common with other Korean immigrants. But this sign, located in the very heart of Korean community, explains the Civil War in their own language (and) will connect them, allowing them to appreciate the rich American history and give them a sense of pride for this country.  I hope this is just the beginning of similar efforts for the future.”

Lindsey Baker with Baker Cruz Services said the company was “thrilled to be able to provide a translation for the sign and increase accessibility for visitors who prefer Spanish. We love contributing to projects that are dedicated to expanding everyone's understanding of our shared history."

The Bull Run Civil War Round Table ensured an accurate narrative of the battle and the Fairfax County Park Authority approved the final content and location of the pedestal to capture visitors as they enter the park, Civil War Trails said.

Monuments to generals Kearny and Stevens (Fairfax County Park Authority)

Each Civil War Trails sign has a sponsoring member. The nonprofit group uses technology that allows for piecemeal interpretation updates or repairs.

Civil War Trails hopes the new sign gets the attention of those who come to Ox Hill Battlefield Park for a walk or exercise. Perhaps the Korean- or Spanish-speaking visitor will spend a few minutes learning about the only major Civil War engagement in Fairfax County.

The National Park Service provides this summary of the Battle of Chantilly, where there were about 2,000 casualties and an “indecisive” outcome.

“Making a wide flank march, Jackson hoped to cut off the Union retreat from (Second) Bull Run. On September 1, beyond Chantilly Plantation on the Little River Turnpike near Ox Hill, Jackson sent his divisions against two Union divisions under (Phil) Kearny and (Isaac) Stevens. Confederate attacks were stopped by fierce fighting during a severe thunderstorm. Union generals Stevens and Kearny were both killed. Recognizing that his army was still in danger at Fairfax Courthouse, Maj. Gen. Pope ordered the retreat to continue to Washington. With Pope no longer a threat, Lee turned his army west and north to invade Maryland, initiating the Maryland Campaign and the battles of South Mountain and Antietam.”

New sign at park (Civil War Trails)

Most of the battlefield has been swallowed by development but the site does have some important portions. “Ox Hill Battlefield Park today is a calming refuge amid a heavily commercial area,” the county says.

“It's a lovely place for a thoughtful stroll. Interpretive kiosks at the park present information about the battle and its significance and offer insights into some of the men who were wounded on this land.”

Gruber said Civil War Trails has seen a growth in members who help sponsor and pay for signs and brochures. And the messages and audience are getting more diverse.

They are looking into putting a sign in Frederick, Md., in Spanish. “The idea has to come from the locality and work for municipal residents and the traveler.”

Interest in the program has picked up since violence in Charlottesvillle, Va., and Charleston, S.C.

Gruber cites the  “Road to Freedom” partnership with the American Battlefield Trust that highlights Virginia’s African-American Civil War experience as an example of expanding the audience.

Most of the battlefield is developed except for this green space