Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Confederate Earthworks
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg, Virginia —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
1. Confederate Earthworks Marker
Twisting through the woods one hundred yards ahead of you are two well-preserved lines of earthworks constructed by Confederate forces in the winter of 1862-1863. General Robert E. Lee had ordered his troops to build the trenches in anticipation of a Union Crossing of the Rappahannock River the following spring. When first built, the works stood two and one-half feet high with a ditch of like depth in the rear, allowing soldiers to stand without exposing themselves to enemy fire.On the crest of the ridge stand two sets of earthworks that sheltered Confederate artillery. Shooting over the heads of the riflemen in the trenches below, the cannon could sweep the plain between here and the Rappahannock River with a deadly fire.
“The greatest destruction and change in the appearance of the country is from the long lines of trenches and the redoubts which crown every hillside from ten miles above Fredericksburg to twenty miles below. The world has never seen such a fortified position.” Major Sandie Pendleton, CSA staff officer
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Gallant Pelham (here, next to this marker); The Winter Line (a few steps from this marker); Colonial Post Office (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fredericksburg Campaign (approx. ¾ mile away); a different marker also named The Gallant Pelham (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Battle of Fredericksburg (approx. 0.8 miles away); Stuart and Pelham (approx. 0.8 miles away); a different marker also named The Gallant Pelham (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. On the right is a map of the immediate area showing the location of Confederate earthworks. On the lower right is a postwar photograph of similar entrenchments. It carries the caption, "The Confederate gun emplacements in the woods ahead of you looked much like those shown in this postwar image. Notice the slight depressions visible on either
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, July 27, 2023
2. Confederate Earthworks Marker
The marker has been severely damaged since the original documentation in 2009.
Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on May 24, 2009.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
3. Confederate Earthworks Marker
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
4. Pelham's Crossing Markers
Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009
5. Ridge Line
The earthworks mentioned on the marker extend across a wooded ridge line just behind the subdivision. The works are located under the brush to the right of the road.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 23, 2009
6. Pelham's Crossing subdivision
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,540 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 14, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3, 4. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 5. submitted on August 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
