On 7-12-1861 the first Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) surged around this house and over 5,000 were killed. Mrs. Henry, 85 and bedridden, refused to leave. A Union cannon shell meant for the Confederate snipers who were using the house, killed Mrs. Henry. After the battle, sightseers of the battle tore the house down for souveniers. It was later burned to the ground in the Second Battle of Bull Run. It was rebuilt in 1870.