Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Heth's Salient Battle Site
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
1. Heth's Salient Battle Site Marker
After four days of probing attacks, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant ordered a frontal assault against the Confederate lines at Spotsylvania Court House on 12 May 1864. The focal point of the attack was the Muleshoe Salient, an outward bulge in the Confederate line. While the II and IV Corps struck the head of the salient, resulting in the struggle for the "Bloody Angle," Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside's IX Corps assaulted the Muleshoe's eastern face, known as Heth's Salient, located nearby. Confederate defenders, ensconced behind log works, repulsed the early morning attacks and at 2 p.m. counterattacked through this area. During more than 20 hours of fighting the Federals lost some 9,000 killed, wounded, and captured. The Confederates lost an estimated 8,000 casualties.
Erected 2004 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-127.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1864.
Location. 38° 12.506′ N, 77° 34.864′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Courthouse Road (Bypass State Road
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (here, next to this marker); The Fredericksburg Road (approx. ¼ mile away); "If It Takes All Summer" (approx. ¼ mile away); The First Stones Were Free (approx. 0.4 miles away); Beneath This Sacred Soil (approx. 0.4 miles away); More Than Just A Stone (approx. 0.4 miles away); Noble Ladies of Spotsylvania (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Regarding Heth's Salient Battle Site. The National Park Service tour provides one stop labeled "Heth's Salient." The tour stop is largely interpretive, and is some 300 to 500 yards from the site of the actual fighting referenced.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
2. Heth's Salient Battle Site Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
3. Cooke's Brigade Attacks
Looking northwest from the marker location along the road. General John R. Cooke's Brigade of Heth's Division attacked on an axis roughly parallel to the Spotsylvania Court House Road, from left to right in this photo. The attack parried any advance from the Federals in this sector.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,655 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
