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

Flanking of Hays' Brigade

By Craig Swain, October 18, 2008

1. Flanking of Hays' Brigade Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On this ridge, the Union brigade of Brig. Gen. William Hays, supported by artillery, temporarily stopped the Confederate advance across the ground below you. A member of the 12th New Jersey described what happened next: "We were in open sight, without earthworks or protection of any kind, except a few trees...when an unfortunate break to the rear of the regiment on our right left a vast hole in our line, through which the Rebels, unseen by us, got in our flank and rear and rolled our line up endways, just like a piece of ribbon." Hays and all but one member of his staff were captured. The rest of the command retreated to the next ridge.

Location. 38° 18.707′ N, 77° 38.557′ W. Marker is near Chancellorsville, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Plank Road / Germania Highway (State Highway 3), on the right when traveling west. Located at trail stop five on the Chancellorsville History Trail, at the Chancellorsville Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Breakthrough (about 600 feet away, measured in

Chancellorsville History Trail - Stop Five image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, October 18, 2008

2. Chancellorsville History Trail - Stop Five

a direct line); Junction of Earthworks (about 600 feet away); The Union Army Escapes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Collis Zouaves (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union Counterattack (approx. ¼ mile away); Jackson's Impact (approx. 0.3 miles away); High Drama, Human Tragedy (approx. 0.3 miles away); Artillery Duel (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chancellorsville.

Also see . . . Battle of Chancellorsville. National Park Service site. (Submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Categories. • War, US Civil •

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Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 774 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.