Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battles of Fredericksburg
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 14, 2007
1. Battles of Fredericksburg Marker
Inscription.
Battles of Fredericksburg. . During the First and Second Battles of Fredericksburg, the Confederates occupied Marye’s Heights, a defensive position enhanced by a sunken road and stone wall on the eastern slope. On 13 Dec. 1862, during the first battle, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s Confederate corps withstood attempts by Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s and Maj. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner’s Grand Divisions to take the heights. During the second battle (Chancellorsville campaign), on 3 May 1863, Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick’s Union troops repeatedly attempted to capture the ridge from Brig. Gen. William Barksdale’s brigade. A bayonet charge finally drove the Confederates off the heights.
During the First and Second Battles of Fredericksburg, the Confederates occupied Marye’s Heights, a defensive position enhanced by a sunken road and stone wall on the eastern slope. On 13 Dec. 1862, during the first battle, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s Confederate corps withstood attempts by Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s and Maj. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner’s Grand Divisions to take the heights. During the second battle (Chancellorsville campaign), on 3 May 1863, Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick’s Union troops repeatedly attempted to capture the ridge from Brig. Gen. William Barksdale’s brigade. A bayonet charge finally drove the Confederates off the heights.
Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-44.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1863.
Location. 38° 17.468′ N, 77° 28.201′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker is on Lafayette Boulevard (Business U.S. 1) 0.2 miles north of Blue & Gray Parkway (Virginia Route 3), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
More about this marker. This marker replaces a marker dating from the late 1920s or early 1930s with the same name and number which read, “Here the highway crosses the line held by the Confederate infantry at Mary’s Heights in the battles of December 13, 1862, and May 3, 1863. —Ed.
Photographed By Dawn Bowen, July 14, 2007
2. Marker on Lafayette Blvd.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008
3. The Sunken Road
Section of the Sunken Road inside the Fredericksburg National Military Park. The road figured prominently into both battles fought at Fredericksburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,764 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
