Milford in Caroline County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Milford Station
Lee Avoids A Trap
| — | Lee vs. Grant – The 1864 Campaign | — |
Unable to crack Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s strongly fortified lines at Spotsylvania Court House, Union Gen. Grant ordered Gen. Winfield Hancock’s Second Corps to cross the Mattaponi River here at Milford Station and threaten the Confederate army’s line of supply. Grant hoped Lee would try to overpower Hancock’s isolated corps, thereby exposing his own army to attack.
Gen. Alfred Torbert’s cavalry led Hancock’s column. When Torbert reached Milford Station on May 21, 1864, he found portions of two regiments of Confederate infantry blocking the way. In a short, stubborn fight, Torbert seized the hill 600 yards behind you and drove the Southerners across the river.
Hancock crossed the Mattaponi later that day, forcing the Confederate army to abandon Spotsylvania. Rather than attack Hancock’s corps, Lee hurried south to Hanover Junction. There, along the banks of the North Anna River, the next battle of the campaign would be fought.
“My chief anxiety now is to draw Lee out of his works.” - Gen. U.S. Grant.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant
this page online
Location. 38° 1.373′ N, 77° 22.439′ W. Marker is in Milford, Virginia, in Caroline County. It is at the intersection of Colonial Road and Antioch Road, on the right when traveling south on Colonial Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milford VA 22514, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont and in Central 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 markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Edmund Pendleton's Home (approx. 2.4 miles away); Star Hotel (approx. 2.4 miles away); Caroline County Courthouse (approx. 2.4 miles away); Loving v Virginia (approx. 2.4 miles away); 1864 Union Occupation of Bowling Green (approx. 2.4 miles away); Town of Bowling Green (approx. 2.4 miles away); Campaign of 1781 (approx. 2.4 miles away); Caroline County World War I Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away).
Also see . . . Civil War Traveler - Central Virginia. Lee vs. Grant: The 1864 Overland Campaign Tour - Milford Station. (Submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
2. Milford Station CWT Marker
This is a previous iteration of the marker. While the inscription is identical, there are slight differences in formatting.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
4. Old Nelson Hill Rd RR crossing at Milford Station
This is a photo of the prior iteration of the marker in its context.
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
5. CWT Map - 1864 Overland Campaign Tour Route
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
6. Milford Station (facing north)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
7. Mattaponi River southwest of Milford Station
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,346 times since then and 128 times this year. Last updated on April 17, 2018, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 8, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 8, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
