Milford in Caroline County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Milford Station
Lee Avoids A Trap
— Lee vs. Grant – The 1864 Campaign —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
1. Milford Station CWT Marker
Unable to crack Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s strongly fortified lines at Spotsylvania Court House, Union Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Winfield Hancock’s Second Corps to cross the Mattaponi River here at Milford Station and threaten the Confederate army’s line of supply. Grant hoped Lee would try to overpower Hancock’s isolated corps, thereby exposing his own army to attack.Gen. Alfred Torbert’s cavalry led Hancock’s column. When Torbert reached Milford Station on May 21, 1864, he found portions of two regiments of Confederate infantry blocking the way. In a short, stubborn fight, Torbert seized the hill 600 yards behind you and drove the Southerners across the river.
Hancock crossed the Mattaponi later that day, forcing the Confederate army to abandon Spotsylvania. Rather than attack Hancock’s corps, Lee hurried south to Hanover Junction. There, along the banks of the North Anna River, the next battle of the campaign would be fought.
“My chief anxiety now is to draw Lee out of his works.” - Gen. U.S. Grant.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1770.
Location. 38° 1.373′ N, 77° 22.439′ W. Marker is in Milford, Virginia, in Caroline County. Marker is at the intersection of Colonial Road and Antioch Road, on the right when traveling south on Colonial Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milford VA 22514, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Edmund Pendleton's Home (approx. 2.4 miles away); Town of Bowling Green (approx. 2.4 miles away); Campaign of 1781 (approx. 2.4 miles away); Caroline County World War I Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Caroline Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); Caroline County, Virginia (approx. 2.4 miles away); Richard and Mildred Loving (approx. 2˝ miles away); The Honorable J. Peyton Farmer Circuit Courthouse (approx. 2˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milford.
Also see . . . Civil War Traveler - Central Virginia. Lee vs. Grant: The 1864 Overland Campaign Tour - Milford Station. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
2. CWT Map - 1864 Overland Campaign Tour Route
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
3. Old Nelson Hill Rd RR crossing at Milford Station
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
4. Milford Station (facing north)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
5. Mattaponi River southwest of Milford Station
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,923 times since then and 99 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2018, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
