The Inverted V

The Inverted V. May 23, 1864 6:45pm. You are now standing in the tip of the famous “inverted V” position constructed by Lee’s army along the North Anna River. The trenches on your left continued to the Little River, while those on the right anchored on a bend in the North Anna below Hanover Junction. This area was held by Brigadier General Ambrose “Rans” Wright’s Georgia brigade which assisted in repelling Ledlie’s brigade on the evening of May 24. The 2nd Georgia Infantry Battalion of Wright’s brigade held back the left flank of the Union line until Colonel Harris’ 12th Mississippi Infantry crushed the Union center., “...a tremendous volley to our left, followed by the unmistakable ‘Rebel yell’ told us plain enough that the Mississippians had struck the Yanks and as the yelling and the firing came towards us, it was evident enough that the Yanks were on the run.... As they passed us Tinley and I made a few more shots at them and as the Mississippi boys came up a big strapping fellow called out, ‘Bang it Boys, but ain’t we making them think it’s Christmas though.’” E. A. Shiver, Co. C, 2d Battalion Georgia Volunteers, on the Confederate skirmish line, (sidebar) , Presented to the people of the United States by the Ukrops Foundation, Richmond, Virginia. Ukrops is a strong supportive member of the Hanover County/Ashland community., (captions) , Lieutenant Colonel Stephen M. Weld, slightly wounded leading the 56th Massachusetts at Ox Ford , Lieutenant Colonel Henry H. Pearson, killed while leading the 6th New Hampshire against the Inverted V