Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Laurel Hill
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
| | Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park | |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 23, 2013
1. Laurel Hill Marker
[The] Federal assaults were not only easily repulsed, but the forces making them were simply slaughtered. Private John Coxe, 2nd South Carolina Infantry
Before you lies Laurel Hill, one of the most important but least understood areas of the Spotsylvania Court House battlefield. On three separate days—May 8, 10, and 12—Union troops charged across these fields, from right to left, in an effort to break the Confederate armys hold on the wooded ridge to your left. Each attack ended in bloody failure. With each repulse, the Union soldiers enthusiasm for attacking the ridge diminished. “Every man in the ranks saw the folly of the attempt,” wrote a soldier in the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, “and judging from the undercurrent of their conversation, it is not probable that they would have made a very determined effort, or gone far.”
In all, some 5,000 Union soldiers fell here—all to no purpose. On May 13, the Union army abandoned Laurel Hill and headed east. The Confederates followed.
(caption)
Union troops at Laurel Hill
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant day of the year for for this entry is May 8.
Location. 38° 13.076′ N, 77° 36.874′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is at the intersection of Grant Drive and Brock Road, on the right when traveling south on Grant Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8116 Brock Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Race for Spotsylvania Court House
Photographed by Bernard Fisher
2. Laurel Hill Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Spotsylvania Campaign (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National PaArk Service (Submitted on June 24, 2013.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,263 times since then and 77 times this year. Last updated on September 18, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
