Near Locust Grove in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lee-to-the-Rear
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007
1. Lee-to-the-Rear Marker
This is the last in a series of markers along a walking trail on the Tapp Field. It can be reached from a parking lot off the Orange Plank Road.
Colonel Charles S. Venable, an officer on Lee’s staff, witnessed the event and wrote about it soon after the war:
Much moved by the greeting of these brave men and their magnificent behavior, General Lee spurred his horse through an opening in the trenches and followed close on their line as it moved rapidly forward. The men did not perceive that he was going with them until they had advanced some distance in the charge; when they did, there came from the entire line, as it rushed on, the cry, “Go back, General Lee! Go back!.... We won’t go on unless you go back!” A sergeant seized his bridle rein. Just then I called his attention to General Longstreet, who sat on his horse on a knoll to the right of the Texans. He yielded with evident reluctance to the entreaties of his men and rode up to Longstreet’s position.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 17.41′ N, 77° 43.576′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In The Nick of Time (here, next to this marker); In the Nick of Time (here, next to this marker); Wilderness Campaign (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Home of Widow Tapp (about 600 feet away); The Widow Tapp House (about 600 feet away); Brink of Victory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee to the Rear! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee to the rear! (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.
More about this marker. The marker is dominated by a painting by Don Troiani of General Lee leading his men in the charge.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of the Wilderness. (Submitted on March 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. General Lee To The Rear!. (Submitted on March 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Shane Oliver, November 25, 2017
2. Lee-to-the-Rear Marker Base
Marker is missing but since the Base is still standing, there is a possibility that the NPS will replace the marker in the near future.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007
3. Lee-to-the-Rear and other markers
The "Lee-to-the-Rear" marker on the Tapp Field is next to the "In The Nick of Time" marker on the walking trail.
Photographed By Craig Swain
4. Stop Two on the Widow Tap Trail
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 10, 2007
5. Widow Tapp Field
The walking trail explores the site of the Widow Tapp Farm.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,335 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 9, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
