Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Todd’s Tavern

March to Spotsylvania

— Lee vs. Grant - The 1864 Campaign —

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007

1. Todd's Tavern - March to Spotsylvania

Inscription. After two days on inconclusive fighting in the Wilderness, Union Gen. U.S. Grant determined to push on to Spotsylvania Court House, ten miles south. Possession of the roads near Spotsylvania would give the Army of the Potomac the inside track, forcing Lee to either attack or race it to Richmond using a longer route. Just as important, marching to Spotsylvania would get the Union army out of the Wilderness and into more open ground, where it could use its superior numbers to full advantage.

Grant's men began their march to Spotsylvania after dark, May 7, 1864. The Fifth and Second Corp took the Brock Road (the same route you have been traveling); the Sixth and Ninth Corps followed roads farther to the east. Unknown to Grant, Lee's army was headed to Spotsylvania too. The outcome of the campaign would hinge on which army reached the town first.

(Sidebar, copy of orders to General Meade from General Grant):
Headquarters Armies of the United States
May 7, 1864--6.30 a.m.
Major-General Meade,
Commanding Army of the Potomac:
General: Make all preparations during the day for a night march, to take position at Spotsylvania Court-House...

U.S. Grant
Lieutenant-General.

Erected by Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed

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in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1864.

Location. 38° 14.849′ N, 77° 40.119′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Brock Road (County Route 613) and Catharpin Road (County Route 612), on the right when traveling south on Brock Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9626 Brock Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Todd’s Tavern (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Todd’s Tavern (here, next to this marker); Lafayette at Corbin’s Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx.

Close-up of Map on Marker image. Click for full size.

September 22, 2007

2. Close-up of Map on Marker

1.7 miles away); The Piney Branch School (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

More about this marker. In the center is a portrait of Richard H. Anderson, Confederate General who lead the march to Spotsylvania. On the right is a map depicting the movements described in the text.

Also see . . .
1. Battle of Todd's Tavern. National Park Service summary of the battle and driving tour. (Submitted on February 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Civil War Trails – Lee vs. Grant: The 1864 Overland Campaign Tour. (Submitted on March 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Todd’s Tavern - March to Spotsylvania Marker image. Click for full size.

September 22, 2007

3. Todd’s Tavern - March to Spotsylvania Marker

Tavern Location image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

4. Tavern Location

The tavern stood on the west side (nearest to the camera) along Brock Road (running left to right), at the intersection with Catharpin (on the left where the white car has pulled onto the main road). The tavern no longer stands, but a modern day business using the same name operates across the road.

Robert S. Whitlock image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

5. Robert S. Whitlock

Standing next to the marker is this plaque lauding the efforts of Robert S. Whitlock towards preservation and interpretation of the Todd's Tavern site.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,667 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3. submitted on January 12, 2008. 4, 5. submitted on February 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.