Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battered Buildings on Willis Hill
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Taken in 1864, this image looks south along Willis Hill (part of Marye's Heights) from near this very spot. It shows some of the overgrown earthworks built by the Confederates in 1862 and 1863. Behind them are the ruins of three brick buildings largely destroyed by Union artillery and infantry fire during the two battles of Fredericksburg. The site of the National Cemetery is beyond the most distant chimney.
The little whitewashed brick-house to the right of the redoubt we were in was so battered with bullets during the…engagement that at the close it was transformed to a bright brickrust red. An old cast-iron stove lay against the house, and as the bullets would strike…it would give forth the sound of "Bing! Bing!" with different tones and variations.
Lieutenant William Miller Owen
The Washington Artillery of New Orleans
[Captions:]
"The little whitewashed-brick house" referenced in the quote above is clearly visible in the background of this 1863 photo of Confederates on the railroad bridge in Fredericksburg.
This photo shows Willis Hill in May 1864. The wagons and tents belong to the Union army—part of the vast effort to care for more than 20,000 wounded from the battles at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House.
this page online
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1864.
Location. 38° 17.656′ N, 77° 28.116′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Sunken Road north of Lafayette Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Confederate Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); Willis Hill Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg National Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunken Road Walking Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Field of Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Union Attacks Begin (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on March 12, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 5, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
