Near Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Federals Fall Back
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008
1. The Federals Fall Back Marker
Inscription.
The Federals Fall Back. . In front of you are the remains of trenches manned by the Union army on May 5-6, 1864. When Gordon attacked these works from the north, your left, the Federals abandoned them and fell back to a new position one mile to your front and right. The Confederates then moved forward and seized the unoccupied entrenchments, rebuilding them to face in the opposite direction - the way you now face. Later they build a new line of works that ran perpendicular to this line, parallel to the Culpeper Mine Road. Those works are immediately to your right., The armies rested uneasily behind their earthworks throughout May 7 while occasional fires, ignited by the fighting, swept through the woods. Although the Battle of the Wilderness resulted in nearly 30,000 casualties, it marked but the first step on the long road to Appomattox.
In front of you are the remains of trenches manned by the Union army on May 5-6, 1864. When Gordon attacked these works from the north, your left, the Federals abandoned them and fell back to a new position one mile to your front and right. The Confederates then moved forward and seized the unoccupied entrenchments, rebuilding them to face in the opposite direction - the way you now face. Later they build a new line of works that ran perpendicular to this line, parallel to the Culpeper Mine Road. Those works are immediately to your right.
The armies rested uneasily behind their earthworks throughout May 7 while occasional fires, ignited by the fighting, swept through the woods. Although the Battle of the Wilderness resulted in nearly 30,000 casualties, it marked but the first step on the long road to Appomattox.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1777.
Location. 38° 19.425′ N, 77° 45.517′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Constitution Highway (State Highway 20), on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Wilderness Battlefield at stop 9 of the Gordon Flank Attack trail, near Driving Tour Stop Two (the Exhibit Shelter). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The upper half of the marker contains a map of the surrounding area detailing the trenches, and referencing the roads visible to the visitor.
Also see . . . Gordon Flank Attack Trail. National Park Service page detailing the Gordon Flank Attack Trail. (Submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008
2. Gordon Flank Attack Trail - Stop 9
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008
3. Confederate Earthworks along the Culpeper Mine Road
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,100 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
