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

Battles of Fredericksburg

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 14, 2007

1. Battles of Fredericksburg Marker

Inscription. During the First and Second Battles of Fredericksburg, the Confederates occupied Marye’s Heights, a defensive position enhanced by a sunken road and stone wall on the eastern slope. On 13 Dec. 1862, during the first battle, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s Confederate corps withstood attempts by Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s and Maj. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner’s Grand Divisions to take the heights. During the second battle (Chancellorsville campaign), on 3 May 1863, Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick’s Union troops repeatedly attempted to capture the ridge from Brig. Gen. William Barksdale’s brigade. A bayonet charge finally drove the Confederates off the heights.

Erected 2000 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number E-44.)

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 May 3, 1863.

Location. 38° 17.468′ N, 77° 28.201′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is on Lafayette Boulevard (Business U.S. 1) 0.2 miles north of Blue & Gray Parkway (Virginia Route 3), on the right when traveling north. 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 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parker's Battery (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Second Battle of Fredericksburg (about 500 feet away); Andrew Atkinson Humphreys (about 700 feet away); Col. Joseph A. Moesch (about 700 feet away); Decoration Day (about 800 feet away); 127th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fredericksburg National Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fredericksburg Campaign (was about 800 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker replaces a marker dating from the late 1920s or early 1930s with the same name and number which read, “Here the highway crosses the line held by the Confederate infantry at Mary’s Heights in the battles of December 13, 1862, and May 3, 1863. —Ed.

Marker on Lafayette Blvd. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 14, 2007

2. Marker on Lafayette Blvd.

The Sunken Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

3. The Sunken Road

Section of the Sunken Road inside the Fredericksburg National Military Park. The road figured prominently into both battles fought at Fredericksburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,018 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.