Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Death of Sedgwick

Photographed by Kevin W., November 19, 2007

1. The Death of Sedgwick Marker

Inscription. Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick, commander of the Sixth Corps, was one of the most popular senior officers in the Army of the Potomac. On the morning of May 9, 1864, Sedgwick arrived here to direct some minor redeployment of his troops. Ignoring warnings from his chief-of-staff, Sedgwick stalked about admonishing his men to cease worrying about the occasional fire of Confederate sharpshooters concealed in the woodline far to your front. “I am ashamed of you, dodging that way,” scolded Sedgwick. “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” Shortly thereafter, a bullet slammed into the general’s face, killing him almost instantly.

The shot that killed John Sedgwick, the highest-ranking Northern officer to die on a Civil War battlefield, came from a Whitworth rifle at a distance of more than 500 yards. The identity of the marksman who fired the fatal shot remains a mystery, although at least five Confederate soldiers later claimed responsibility.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 9, 1864.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. 38° 13.081′ N,

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77° 36.872′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is on Brock Road (County Route 613) near Grant Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is at the entrance to Spotsylvania National Military Park. 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 location: Sedgwick (here, next to this marker); Laurel Hill Trail (here, next to this marker); Laurel Hill (a few steps

The Death of Sedgwick Marker is on the right. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., November 19, 2007

2. The Death of Sedgwick Marker is on the right.

from this marker); The Race for Spotsylvania Court House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Death of Sedgwick (a few steps from this marker); A Different Kind of War (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Testing the Line: May 8-10 (about 400 feet away); The Battle of Spotsylvania (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

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).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Marker At This Location also titled "The Death of Sedgwick".

Photographed by Kevin W., November 19, 2007

3. The Death of Sedgwick Marker

Major General John Sedgwick<br>of 2nd Regular Army Cavalry Regiment image. Click for full size.

Library of Congress, May 20, 2016

4. Major General John Sedgwick
of 2nd Regular Army Cavalry Regiment

by Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries 1861 and 1864.

The Death of Sedgwick Artist Illustration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, circa 1991

5. The Death of Sedgwick Artist Illustration

Spotsylvania "Compass" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

6. Spotsylvania "Compass"

As at other locations in the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, a compass indicates the direction and distance to locations important to the battle and campaigns. From the north (right) are indicated Chancellorsville (6.3 m), Washington (60 m), Bloody Angle (0.9 m), Lee's Final Line (0.7 m), Federal Line (2.1 m), Spotsylvania C.H. (2 m), Confederate front (0.3 m), Richmond (50 m), Po River (1 m), Shady Grove Church (5.5 m), Todd's Tavern (3.5 m), and Brock-Plank Crossroads (7.7 m).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,272 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 4. submitted on September 17, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on March 29, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.