Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Death of Maxcy Gregg
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
General Maxcy Gregg fell mortally wounded near this spot on December 13, 1862. Fiery and uncompromising on the issues of slavery and states’ rights, the South Carolina lawyer had been an early and ardent proponent of secession. When war came, Gregg, like many pre-war politicians, sought a place at the head of his state’s troops. Having voted to take his state out of the Union, he was willing to fight – and die – to keep it out.
When, at midday on December 13, Union troops broke into the woods in front of you, Gregg at first misidentified them as Confederate pickets. He ordered his South Carolinians, atop this ridge, to hold their fire – a fatal mistake. A Union bullet struck Gregg in the side, piercing his spine. Two days later he died, having assured the governor of his state, “I yield my life cheerfully, fighting for the independence of South Carolina.”
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1675.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 15.083′ N, 77° 26.634′ W. Marker was near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker was on Lee Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located along Lee Drive in the Fredericksburg-Spotyslvania Military Park. The most convenient access is from Lansdowne Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 6 Lee Dr, Fredericksburg VA 22408, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Union Breakthrough (here, next to this marker); Death of a Southern Radical (within shouting distance of this marker); The Meade Pyramid (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Southern Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jackson (approx. half a mile away); Fredericksburg Campaign (approx. half a mile away); Jackson Holds Prospect Hill (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Fredericksburg Campaign (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. In the lower left corner of the marker, there is a map detailing the maneuvers leading up to the death of Maxcy Gregg. The map carries the caption, "To reach Gregg’s lines, Union troops plunged through a swampy gap in the low ground before you. The Union breakthrough not only took Gregg’s life, it imperiled Jackson’s entire position."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location titled "Death of a Southern Radical"
Also see . . . Death of Maxcy Gregg Painting. Until recently, one of the park's battlefield paintings depicted the death of Maxcy Gregg. The painting was replaced by the current marker. (Submitted on December 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,233 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 10, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 19, 2008. 3. submitted on December 10, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on September 22, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.