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

In the Nick of Time

The Battle of the Wilderness

Photographed By Shane Oliver, November 25, 2017

1. In the Nick of Time Marker

Inscription. Here, for a few moments on the bright spring morning of May 6, 1864, Robert E. Lee faced disaster for his army. The woods to your right and the fields in front of you swarmed with Union troops. The artillery behind you stood as the only organized resistance to this massive Union attack. The guns boomed; cannoneers, including General A.P. Hill himself, worked the pieces frantically.

Then General James Longstreet's corps arrived. "Keep cool men," Longstreet said, "we will straighten this out in a short time." Though exhausted from a 26-mile march, Longstreet's columns formed into a line of battle on either side of the Orange Plank Road (to your right). Anxious to drive the Federals back, Lee rode to Longstreet's men, determined to lead them into battle.

"I have often seen Gen. Lee, but never did I see him so excited, so disturbed - never did anxiety or care manifest itself before so plainly upon his countenance."
A Confederate Staff Officer

(captions)
General Robert E. Lee
General James Longstreet

Erected by Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Miltary Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1864.

Location. 38° 17.408′ N, 77°

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43.575′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Orange Plank Road (County Route 621) half a mile west of Hill-Ewell Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located along the ½-mile Tapp Field Walking trail - located at Stop 6 of the Wilderness Battlefield Auto Tour. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11325 Orange Plank Rd, Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lee-to-the-Rear (here, next to this marker); In The Nick of Time (here, next to this marker); Wilderness Campaign (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Home of Widow Tapp (about 600 feet away); The Widow Tapp House (about 600 feet away); Brink of Victory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee to the rear! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee to the Rear! (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

Also see . . .
1. Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on January 8, 2018.)

2. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled “In the Nick of Time” (Submitted on January 8, 2018.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 303 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on September 9, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photo 1. submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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