Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Seeing the Elephant
The 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery at Harris Farm
— Harris Farm Battlefield Civil War Site —
The 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery was one of several regiments that "saw the elephant" here at Harris Farm ("Seeing the elephant" was a 19th century expression that denoted a soldier's first experience in battle.)
Forming ranks east of the house (behind you), the "Heavies" waded into battle against Ramseur's battle-weary veterans around 6:00 p.m. Here and in the fields to your right, the erstwhile artillerists stood their ground, loading and firing their muskets as they had been drilled. They "got a little mixed and didn't fight very tactically," a Union officer remarked later, "but they fought confounded plucky."
After four hours of fighting, the Confederates withdrew, having suffered 900 casualties. Federal losses totaled 1,535, nearly 400 of whom belonged to the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. The battle gained the "Heavies" the army's respect. After Spotsylvania, wrote one officer, "I never heard a word spoken against the heavy artillerymen."
Erected by Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 14.048′ N, 77° 34.212′ W. Marker was near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker was at the intersection of Monument Court and Knob Hill Court, on the right when traveling north on Monument Court. The marker is located on a small tract operated by the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, Inc. The site is reached from Courthouse Road (CR 208), turning west on Bloomsbury Road. At the intersection of Bloomsbury Road and Monument Drive, continue straight. Park along the road only, and use marked path to the monument area. Adjacent properties are private residences. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 7103 Monument Ct, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Harris Farm (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Harris Farm (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Harris Farm (here, next to this marker); First Regiment Heavy Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Pvt. James Z. Branscomb, CSA (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Harris Farm (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Engagement at Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) (approx. half a mile away); Landram Farm (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
More about this marker. On the lower left is a photograph of some officers of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. The caption reads, "Union officers of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery "saw the elephant" after they fought their first battle at Harris Farm, Virginia, 1864."
In the lower center a photo is captioned "Following the Battle of Harris Farm, soldiers of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery carry off a Confederate corpse near the Alsop House one mile to your right.".
In the upper center is a portrait of "Lieutenant General Richard S. Ewell, commander of the Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. After severe fighting in the Wilderness and at Spotsylvania Court House, Ewell could bring no more than 6,000 men into the battle of Harris Farm." Photo courtesy of the Museum of the Confederacy.
The right of the marker is a map detailing the battle with the following text, "Second/Final phase of the Battle of Harris Farm. From 6:30 pm on Federal units stand their ground against Ewell's Confederates, who withdraw around dusk. The battle of Harris Farm denies Grant's involvement until the night of May 21st, when he disengages his army and marches south. Grant and Lee will meet in battle again within the week at the North Anna River."
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location titled "Harris Farm".
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,858 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.