Near Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Military Scene
The Battle of the Wilderness
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 18, 2008
1. A Military Scene Marker
As one of the few large open areas in the Wilderness, the broad fields north and east of Ellwood assumed instant importance during the battle here. While fighting raged a miles to the west, the fields around Ellwood filled with artillery and wagon trains. Provost guards kept watch over Confederate prisoners; surgeons established field hospitals for the wounded; and rough teamsters held their mule-drawn wagons in readiness to carry ammunition to the front.
In the yard of the house and extending northward along the ridge, Union batteries lobbed shells at targets more than a mile away. The fusillade touched off an angry response from Confederate guns, prompting one staff officer to suggest that Grant move his headquarters further to the rear. The Union commander had other ideas. "It strikes me it would be better to order up some artillery and defend the present position," he replied.
"All the space between the garden, the back of the house, and the barns, was loosely occupied by the bivouacs of the headquarters orderlies, clerks, teamsters, officers' servants, cooks...etc. who on a campaign form quite a colony... ."
-Lt. Morris Schaff, Union staff
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
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Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 19.146′ N, 77° 43.882′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Constitution Highway (State Highway 20), on the left when traveling west. Located at the Ellwood (Lacy House) section of the Wilderness Battlefield, within the Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named A Military Scene (here, next to this marker); Union Headquarters (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Union Headquarters (here, next to this marker); Ellwood (within shouting distance of this marker); Archeology at Ellwood (within shouting distance of this marker); A Busy Place (within shouting distance of this marker); The Yard: A Busy Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Toil Without Choice at Ellwood (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.
More about this marker. The lower half of the marker is a drawing of the scene around
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 18, 2008
2. Old Road Bed
A depression in front of Ellwood matches to the location in Waud's sketch of several wagons in front of the house.
This marker was replaced by a new one also named "A Military Scene" (see nearby markers).
Also see . . . Battle of the Wilderness. National Park Service battle summary. (Submitted on October 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,702 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
