Near Falmouth in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Little Falls

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 14, 2007

1. Little Falls Marker

Inscription. On 11 December 1862, Union engineers began the construction of pontoon bridges here so the army could cross the Rappahannock River to Fredericksburg. They began in the morning, hidden by fog. Soon the fog lifted, however, and Confederate sharpshooters drove them off. A heavy Union artillery barrage and an amphibious assault finally secured the crossing and the engineers completed the bridges. Two days later, Brig. Gen. William B. Franklin’s Left Grand Division, including divisions led by Maj. Gen. George G. Meade and Brig. Gen. Abner Doubleday, crossed over the bridges when the Battle of Fredericksburg began. They were defeated by Confederate Lt. Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s corps.

Erected 1994 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number J-93.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • 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 11, 1862.

Location. 38° 16.301′ N, 77° 25.269′ W. Marker is near Falmouth, Virginia, in Stafford County. It is at the intersection of King’s Highway (Business Virginia Route 3) and County Route 1402, on the right when traveling east on

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King’s Highway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Little St, Fredericksburg VA 22405, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Duff McDuff Green Memorial Park (approx. half a mile away); Sherwood Forest (approx. ¾ mile away); Colonial Fort (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 1.2 miles away); Battle of Fredericksburg (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Fredericksburg (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 1.3 miles away).

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

Marker on King's Highway (SR 3) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 14, 2007

2. Marker on King's Highway (SR 3)

The Rappahannock River near Little Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dawn Bowen, July 14, 2007

3. The Rappahannock River near Little Falls

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,867 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.