Near Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
First Blood in Saunders Field
The Battle of the Wilderness
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007
1. First Blood in Saunders Field Marker
The marker is located at the west end of the Tour Stop 2 parking lot.
-Captain Porter Parley
140th New York Infantry
Shortly after noon on May 5, the battleline of the 140th New York burst from the woods to your right-rear - the first regiment to advance against the Confederates here in Saunders Field.
Undaunted by a devastating Confederate fire, the 529 New Yorkers sprinted across the field and assailed the Confederates along the woodline before you. But supporting units, Caught in the tangled woods north of the field, could not keep pace. Confederate fire raked the 140th exposed right flank. For perhaps 30 minutes the 140th New York clung to its foothold in the woods. Then, with nearly half its men shot or captured, the regiment retreated.
The advance of the 140th New York was but the first bloodletting in what would be two days of savage fighting in and around Saunders Field.
Erected by Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Natioanl Military Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1849.
Location. 38° 19.052′ N, 77° 45.424′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker is on Constitution Highway (State Highway
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Gordon Flank Attack Trail (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of the Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker); 140th New York State Vols. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker); Collision of Giants (within shouting distance of this marker); Clash on the Orange Turnpike (within shouting distance of this marker); The Fighting Ends in Stalemate (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Battle of the Wilderness (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a Keith Rocco painting of the 140th New York charging the Confederates in Saunders Field.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007
2. Marker an Saunders Field
On this field, the soldiers of the 140th New York Infantry made their charge. The monument in the background honors the 140th New York State Vols.
Photographed By Craig Swain
3. Saunders Field
The back side of the 140th Monument is seen along the trail up the ridge. The 140th's charge reached the woodline where the observer is standing.
Photographed By Craig Swain, October 18, 2008
4. Zouaves Advance
The 140th New York passed through the first line of defenders and into a gully beyond. There the regiment fought at close quarters, and awaited reinforcements. When those were not forthcoming, the Zouaves were effectively surrounded. The men were ordered to escape as best they could, and many were captured or killed. Several of the Federals were hastily buried by the Confederates around these rocks. While later the bodies were relocated to the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, depressions and mounds remain all around.
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 16, 2018
5. 140th New York Monument
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 16, 2018
6. Saunders Field
View across Saunders Field from the Confederate perspective - at the remaining earthworks just inside the treeline.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 3,421 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on March 8, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on October 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on March 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 6. submitted on April 3, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
