Doswell in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Griffin's Artillery
May 25, 1864
— Blue Trail —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2020
1. Griffin's Artillery Marker
On May 25th, the aggressive Confederate skirmish fire drew the ire of General Charles Griffin, whose division was assigned to fill in the gap between Crawford's men and the main road to the south. As an old artilleryman now commanding an infantry division, Griffin was known to place his cannon dangerously close to the enemy.When the Confederates proved disinclined two cease their firing, Griffin ordered Major R. H. Fitzhugh with three batteries of sixteen cannon to reinforce his skirmish line. The guns were moved cautiously into the trees to the few available firing positions. The guns pounded the Confederate skirmish line, forcing the sharpshooter battalions of Mahone's Division back into the woods. Still full of fight, the determined Confederates peppered the artillerymen with accurate rifle fire, causing the Federals to "suffer considerably" but failed to silence the guns.
The fierce nature of the Union advance forced the 41st Virginia Infantry to reinforce the sharpshooters of Mahone's Brigade, with resulting casualties. Both Captain Robert B. Brinkley, a former merchant from Nansemond County and superintendent of
this page online
Donated to the People of the United States by Major Randolph E. Brooks, USA Retired & Stephanie A. Brooks of North Carolina
(caption) Brig. Gen. William Mahone, Confederate Division Commander
Erected 2014 by Blue & Gray Education Society, Hanover County Parks and Recreation Department. (Marker Number Stop 11.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1864.
Location. 37° 53.702′ N, 77° 29.896′ W. Marker is in Doswell, Virginia, in Hanover County. Marker can be reached from Verdon Road (Virginia Route 684) 0.2 miles west of New Market Mill Road (Virginia Route 685), on the right when traveling west. Located along the "Blue Trail” in North Anna Battlefield Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11576 Verdon Rd, Doswell VA 23047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Deadly Skirmishing (within shouting distance of this marker); Dig and Dig Some More (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Stalemate (about 400 feet away); Death Under The Trees (about 500 feet away); Reinforcements Arrive
Photographed By Blue & Gray Education Society
2. Griffin's Artillery Marker
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. North Anna Battlefield Park. Hanover County Parks & Recreation (Submitted on February 25, 2020.)
2. The Battle of North Anna. Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park (Submitted on February 25, 2020.)
3. North Anna. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on February 25, 2020.)
4. North Anna Battlefield Park Sign Project. Blue & Gray Education Society (Submitted on February 26, 2020.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, February 23, 2020
3. Griffin's Artillery Marker
Photographed By Brady-Handy
4. Mahone, Hon. Wm. of Va. (General in Confederate Army)
Library of Congress [LC-BH832- 666]
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 176 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on February 26, 2020. 3. submitted on February 24, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4. submitted on February 25, 2020, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
