Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Innis House
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008
1. Innis House Marker
This frame building, known as the Innis (or "Ennis") house, stands as a mute witness to the terrible combat that engulfed this spot. Located along the Confederate line of battle, the small structure was marred by soldier graffiti and perforated by bullets and shell fragments. Confederate General Lafayette McLaws wrote that the house "had no space as large as two hands on it that had not been pierced."
Although the family replaced the exterior clapboards, you can still see bullet marks on one of the vertical timbers on the right side of the house. More dramatic is the damage to the house's interior. Martha Stephens, who lived next door and probably owned this building too, chose not to replace the partition wall separating the hallway from the living room. The scars made by dozens of bullets as visible today as they were in 1862.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 17.735′ N, 77° 28.096′ W. Marker was in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker was on Sunken Road
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Stephens Family Cemetery (here, next to this marker); The Stephens House (a few steps from this marker); Mrs. Martha Stevens (a few steps from this marker); Cobb (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Innis House (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas R. R. Cobb (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Line (within shouting distance of this marker); The Killing Fields (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. The lower portion of the marker is a photograph of The bullet-scarred partition wall.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker which has different text.
Also see . . . Sunken Road Tour. National Park Service page detailing the Sunken Road, including the Stephens House. (Submitted on June 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008
2. Marker and the Innis House
Additional commentary.
1. Older National Park Service Marker
An older NPS marker was placed, probably in the 1930s, at the Innis House. It read:
This marker was a monopole type, about three feet high. It was dark green with white lettering.
— Submitted December 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
3. Innis House
Three holes just to the right of the rightmost window are bullet holes from the battle.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
4. The Innis House
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 19, 2008
5. Bullet holes inside the Innis House
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 19, 2008
6. Bullet holes inside the Innis House
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 19, 2008
7. Bullet holes inside the Innis House
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 17, 2016
8. Innis House
As viewed from the heights above the Sunken Road.
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008
9. Innis House Door
Preserved in the Visitor Center is the door taken from the Innis House during renovation.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,914 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on July 12, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 8. submitted on February 14, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 9. submitted on July 12, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
