Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Elisha Franklin Paxton
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Photographed By Shane Oliver, October 7, 2017
1. Elisha Franklin Paxton Marker
The monument across the road marks where General Elisha Franklin Paxton, commander of the famed Stonewall Brigade, fell on May 3, 1863. Before the war, Frank Paxton had practiced law in "Stonewall" Jackson's hometown of Lexington, Virginia. When, in 1863, Jackson needed a man to command the Stonewall Brigade, he chose Paxton over several more qualified candidates.Before the battle, Paxton foreshadowed his own death in a letter to his wife.
"The future...is dark enough. Though sound in health and strength, I feel that life to many of us hangs upon a slender thread. Whenever God wills it that mine pass from me, I feel that I can say in calm resignation, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' ...And now, darling, good-bye."
(caption)
Paxton is buried in Lexington, just a few yards from his neighbor and friend "Stonewall" Jackson
Erected by Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1863.
Location. 38° 18.541′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brig. Gen. E. F. Paxton, C.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Chancellorsville Campaign (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Night-time Horror (about 600 feet away); Bloody Morning (about 700 feet away); Jackson (about 700 feet away); Jackson Monuments (about 800 feet away); Memorializing Jackson's Death (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on January 8, 2018.)
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 15, 2017
2. Grave of Elisha Paxton
Located at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lexington, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 46 times this year. Last updated on September 3, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 30, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?
