Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Day at Chancellorsville

McGee Family: Divided Loyalties

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 3, 2014

1. First Day at Chancellorsville Marker

Inscription. The Civil War in Spotsylvania County is steeped in McGee family history. Reuben McGee, the patriarch, lived behind you on the opposite side of Lick Run. Among Reuben McGee's five sons were one ardent Confederate (Reuben McGee, Jr.), two Southern army deserters (Robert McGee and Sanford McGee), one Union spy (Ebenezer McGee), and one with Union sympathies (Absalom McGee) who lived just two stops further along this trail.

This postwar cemetery is the final resting place for eleven members of the extended McGee family. Absalom McGee, his wife Frances, two of their daughters, and a daughter-in-law are buried here. The other six graves belong to members of the Timberlake family who were connected to the McGees by marriage.

(caption)
Reuben Henry McGee, Jr., son and namesake of patriarch Reuben McGee, fought with the 30th Virginia Infantry and survived the war to pose for this picture. At the time of the Battle of Chancellorsville, McGee's regiment was serving with Gen. Longstreet at Suffolk. Courtesy descendants of Reuben H. and Ida Belle McGhee

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails, Civil War Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites •

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War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list.

Location. 38° 18.024′ N, 77° 36.437′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Plank Road (Virginia Route 3) 0.8 miles west of Corter Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located along the Lick Run Battlefield trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6161 Plank Road, Fredericksburg VA 22407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. half a mile away); McLaws Trail (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Also see . . .

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 3, 2014

2. First Day at Chancellorsville Marker

Chancellorsville. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on August 4, 2014.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 19, 2023

3. First Day at Chancellorsville Marker

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 3, 2014

4. First Day at Chancellorsville Marker

McGee Family Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, August 3, 2014

5. McGee Family Cemetery

Memorial For Mary E. Mc.Gee image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 5, 2015

6. Memorial For Mary E. Mc.Gee

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 711 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 4, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5. submitted on August 4, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6. submitted on May 29, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.