Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Opening of the Campaign
Battle of Chancellorsville - 1863
On April 27, Hooker sent a force across the river below Fredericksburg in hopes of distracting the Confederate commander, while the remainder of his army marched north and west, crossed the Rapidan and Rappahannock rivers and moved in behind Lee. On April 30, the Union army began to concentrate at Chancellorsville, a former inn located the small crossroads near Chancellorsville.
Outnumbered two-to-one, Lee left a small defense at Fredericksburg and turned his attention toward the threat from the west. Confederates formed a line of defense upon the ridge that you are now standing and awaited the arrival of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s divisions. Once here, they would form a strong enough force to move forward against Hooker’s army at Chancellorsville. During the fighting that ensued, over 30,000 men became casualties, but Lee won what has been considered his greatest victory of the war.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1863.
Location. 38° 17.534′ N, 77° 34.306′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Plank Road/Germanna Highway (Virginia Route 3) near Harrison Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5701 Plank Road, Fredericksburg VA 22407, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Roads Through the Battlefield (here, next to this marker); McCarty Farm (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Defense Turns to Offense (about 500 feet away); Spotswood’s Furnace (about 600 feet away); Earthworks (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. one mile away); 11th United States Infantry (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. On the lower left of the marker are portraits of the Union and Confederate commanders at Chancellorsville during the battle. Their captions read as follows:
Maj. General Joseph Hooker
Despite commanding an army of 160,000, Joseph Hooker suffered a stinging defeat in Spotsylvania County and was removed from command the following month.
General Robert E. Lee
Lee’s army of 60,000 outmaneuvered its enemy at Chancellorsvile, but suffered 13,000 casualties, or 22% of his army.
Regarding Opening of the Campaign. This marker is grouped with the markers along McLaws Drive, Furnace Road, Sickles Drive, East Jackson Trail, and others on the east side of the battlefield. See the First Days of the Battle of Chancellorsville Virtual Tour by Markers in the links section for a listing of related markers on the tour.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Chancellorsville. National Parks Service site. (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. First Days of the Battle of Chancellorsville Virtual Tour by Markers. This virtual tour by markers covers action from May 1-3, 1863. (Submitted on May 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,306 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 2, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.