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

Spotsylvania Campaign

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

1. Spotsylvania Campaign Marker

Inscription. May 10,1864. After a day of sporadic fighting, the Federal high command sent Col. Emory Upton and twelve picked regiments of the VI Corps to strike the west face of the Confederate Salient. Starting in this vicinity near the Scott (Shelton) House about 6 p.m., the troops moved silently down a winding forest road to surprise the Confederate line. They failed to hold their gains and retreated when Mott's Division of the II Corps did not support the attack as planned. Nevertheless, Upton's effort was brilliant and Grant promoted the youthful colonel to brigadier general on the spot.

Erected by United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 10, 1848.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 13.42′ N, 77° 36.385′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Grant Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located at tour stop two (Upton's Road) on the driving tour of Spotsylvania Battlefield unit of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (here, next to this marker); Upton’s Trail (a few steps from this marker); Forming for the Attack (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Upton's Charge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Doles Salient (approx. ¼ mile away); Confederate Counterattack (approx. ¼ mile away); Upton’s Assault (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

More about this marker. This marker was replaced by a new one named Upton’s Trail (see nearby markers).

Also see . . . Upton's Road. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on August 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Spotsylvania Campaign Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

2. Spotsylvania Campaign Map

Upton's Attack About 6 p.m. May 10, 1864
A quarter of a mile beyond this point, their bayonets fixed, Upton's lines broke silence with a wild cheer as they burst from the piney woods across a 200-yard clearing to the Confederate trenches. Though thrown back by counterattack and losing some 1,000 men in killed, wounded and missing, Upton brought off over 1,000 prisoners. Mott's division had been expected to attack from the north, but Confederate artillery around the apex of the Salient swept a wide open field and easily kept Mott at bay. Meanwhile, Federal attacks along the Brock Road front also failed.

Double click on the photo to see an enlarged view of the map.

Tour Stop Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

3. Tour Stop Two

Upton's Road tour stop has a marker and a map detailing the action at this phase.

Wartime Woods Road Used by Upton image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

4. Wartime Woods Road Used by Upton

The road is now a foot trail which connects to Doles Salient.

Warren's Corps Trenches image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

5. Warren's Corps Trenches

Trenches for Warren's V Corps were just to the south of the road. Others trenches in the area are marked as used by Wright's VI Corps.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 987 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.