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

REMOVED

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Spotsylvania Campaign

Missing Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

1. Missing Marker

This marker was replaced in the recent past. If you have a photo of the marker you would like to share, we would appreciate it. Please use the "add photo" link above.

Inscription. May 11-12, 1864. About two hundred yards southward stood the Harrison House where Lee gave his momentous order to Ewell, on the evening of May 11, to remove the artillery from the Salient. Lee pitched his tent in the Harrison House vicinity. Early the next morning, riding forward through the wet and misty woodland toward the rattle of infantry fire, he learned of the break in his lines. The final line across the Salient, to which the Confederates retreated on May 13, ran just behind the Harrison House.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 11, 1872.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 13.051′ N, 77° 36.168′ W. Marker was near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker was at the intersection of Gordon Drive and Anderson Drive, on the right when traveling west on Gordon Drive. Located at tour stop four (The Harrison House) on the driving tour of Spotsylvania Battlefield unit of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within walking distance of this location. The Harrison House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee to the Rear! (within shouting distance of this marker); Harrison House Site (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ramseur's Brigade (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee's Last Line (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mayhem in the Muleshoe (approx. ¼ mile away); The McCoull House (approx. ¼ mile away); Upton’s Assault (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

More about this marker. This was an older marker placed at the battlefield in the 1950s, but was replaced recently by a more modern "wayside" type exhibit. These and similar old markers are called "Happel panels" after Ralph Happel, a historian who wrote the text.

Also see . . . Harrison House. Page from Robert Koch's site detailing the Harrison House, featuring both wartime and modern photographs of the area. The text for the marker was transcribed from Mr. Koch's web site. (Submitted on December 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

The Harrison House Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

2. The Harrison House Site

Seen from the marker location. The Harrison farm and house stood around the copse of trees in the open field.

Harrison House Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

3. Harrison House Site

The foundation piles are all that remain of Harrison House.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,203 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 18, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 15, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of marker when it was in place. • Can you help?