Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lee’s Position

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 13, 2007

1. Lee's Position Marker

Inscription. From this hill (now called Lee’s Hill) a little to the east, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee watched the First Battle of Fredericksburg. As armies prepared for combat, Lee commented that “It is well that war is so terrible—we should grow too fond of it.” On 13 Dec. 1862, Union Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside ordered an assault against the Confederate position. The Confederates withstood the attack, which lasted until dark, slaughtered the Federals with artillery and small-arms fire. Two days later the defeated Union army retreated across the Rappahannock River.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 13, 1862.

Location. 38° 17.084′ N, 77° 28.761′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is on Lafayette Boulevard half a mile south of Blue and Gray Parkway (Virginia Route 3), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lee’s Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee's Hill, the commander's lookout (approx.

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0.2 miles away); Artillery on Lee's Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Pioneers (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Second Battle of Fredericksburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Battle of Fredericksburg from Lee's Hill, December, 1862 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Near Disaster (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee's Command Post (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee's Headquarters (approx. ¼ mile away); Lee Drive: The Confederate Line (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fredericksburg Campaign (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Lee and Howison's Hills Virtual Tour by Markers.

Marker along Lafayette Boulevard image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 13, 2007

2. Marker along Lafayette Boulevard

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,993 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 13, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.