Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"A Wild, Wicked Roar"
The Battle of the Wilderness
Photographed By Shane Oliver, November 25, 2017
1. "A Wild, Wicked Roar" Marker
The arrival of Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell's Confederate Second Corps here along the Orange Turnpike on the morning of May 5 challenged the Union march through the Wilderness. At midday more than 6,000 troops of the Union Fifth Corps moved forward on a jagged, mile-long front.The spearhead of the assault struck Ewell's line here, on the western edge of Saunders Field. Three Union brigades (coming toward you) rolled over the Confederate line. The victorious Unionists plunged forward through thickets and brambles to your left-rear for nearly a half mile.
Ewell rallied his men, and soon "a wild, wicked roar" of musketry engulfed the Union lines. Without support, the Federals stopped, then retreated. Thousands of blue-clad fugitives dashed back across Saunders Field. The Confederates started building the powerful earthworks you see in front of you. After the attack here on May 5, the heaviest fighting would move southward, to the Orange Plank Road.
(caption)
Union troops of Gouverneur K. Warren's Fifth Corps attack across Saunders Field, May 5, 1864.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 5, 1864.
Location. 38° 18.947′ N, 77° 45.466′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Hill-Ewell Drive, 0.1 miles south of Constitution Highway (Virginia Route 20), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located at Saunders Field - Stop 3 on the Wilderness Battlefield Auto Tour Route. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Confederate Line (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named “A Wild, Wicked Roar” (about 400 feet away); Battle of the Wilderness (about 400 feet away); 140th New York State Vols. (about 600 feet away); The Confederate Defense (about 700 feet away); Gordon Flank Attack Trail (about 700 feet away); First Blood in Saunders Field (about 700 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of the Wilderness (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.
Also see . . .
1. Old Marker at this Location. This marker replaced an older one at this location also titled "A Wild, Wicked Roar" (Submitted on January 8, 2018.)
2. Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Photographed By Shane Oliver, November 25, 2017
2. View of Saunders Field from "A Wild, Wicked Roar" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 254 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on September 5, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
