Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Amid Shot and Shell
Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District
Berea Church was initially used as a field hospital during the battles for Spotsylvania Court House as fighting raged on the Brock Road on May 8th. On May 11th, the church became the headquarters of General Jubal Early. On May 13th, the area came under artillery fire from Federal lines across the Fredericksburg Road. A large artillery shell passed through the front doors and became hidden within one of the walls. Damage to the church can be seen by the different color of brick in the photo below circa 1910. Fire damaged the church in 1899.
After the fire on July 3, 1899, the artillery shell that was lodged into the wall was discovered. The shell was donated to the Fredericksburg Museum of War Relics, but it's location today is unknown. The muddy road in 1905 was unchanged from the war. The County Jail (1) built in 1855 is across the road. "Courtland" is in the background (2) with the Courthouse (3) far right.
[Caption:]
General Jubal Early, who ascended to Command of the Confederate 2nd Corps due to the illness of General A. P. Hill, did not speak of Berea in his memoirs.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Spotsylvania County Museum series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1910.
Location. 38° 12.02′ N, 77° 35.335′ W. Marker is in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Courthouse Road just east of Judicial Center Lane (County Road 631), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8956 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Berea Christian Church (a few steps from this marker); A Case of Negligence (within shouting distance of this marker); Modification, Decay & Preservation (within shouting distance of this marker); Booth Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); An Old Jail...A New Home (about 300 feet away); A Final Journey (about 300 feet away); Turning the Pages of Time (about 300 feet away); Ashes to Ashes (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
