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
May 8, 1864. Here began the second delay on Grant's bloody road to Richmond. Having failed to crush Lee in the Wilderness, the Federals attempted to outflank the Confederates by way of Spotsylvania Court House. After a hard night's march, harassed by cavalry, the vanguard of Warren's V Corps reached this point about 8 a.m., only to meet a deadly musketry fire. Longstreet's Corps (now under Anderson) had won the "race" to Spotsylvania! Both sides dug in. Here on May 9 "Uncle John" Sedgwick, beloved leader of the VI Corps, was killed by a Confederate sharpshooter.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 8, 1862.
Location. 38° 13.083′ N, 77° 36.861′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Grant Drive and Brock Road (County Route 613), on the right when traveling north on Grant Drive. Located at the west entrance to Spotsylvania Battlefield unit
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (here, next to this marker); Laurel Hill Trail (a few steps from this marker); The Death of Sedgwick (a few steps from this marker); Sedgwick (a few steps from this marker); The Race for Spotsylvania Court House (a few steps from this marker); Laurel Hill (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Death of Sedgwick (a few steps from this marker); A Different Kind of War (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Happel Markers for the Spotsylvania Battlefield.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
2. West Entrance to Spotsylvania Battlefield
Two Department of the Interior markers, with an interpretive map, stand next to a painting depicting the death of Sedgwick.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
3. Intersection of Brock Road and Grant Avenue
Warren's Federal Corps arrived in this vicinity on May 8 only to see Confederates occupying Laurel Hill to the south.
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
4. Valuable Intersection
Looking from a park trail along Block House Road to the north. The "Y" intersection in the distance is modern Block House Road and Brock Roads. At the time of the battle, this intersection allowed passage between two parallel routes into Spotsylvania Court House. By holding this intersection, Anderson's Corps prevented the Federals from turning around the Confederate flank and getting between Lee's army and Richmond.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,093 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
