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

Dead Horse Hill

The Battle of Fredericksburg

— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —

Dead Horse Hill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009

1. Dead Horse Hill Marker

Inscription. The crescent-shaped earthworks in front of you protected the 14 guns of Lieutenant Colonel Reuben Lindsey Walker's artillery battalion, which held this position on December 13, 1862. Prior to the assault of Union infantry, artillery blanketed this hilltop with a savage fire. So many artillery horses perished in the bombardment that local residents nicknamed this ridge "Dead Horse Hill."

During the bombardment, battery commander Captain Willie Pegram struggled to keep his men to their work. Several abandoned their guns and fled to the woods behind you. To inspire them, Pegram wrapped himself in a Confederate flag and walked calmly among the deserted cannon. "It was a time to test a man's courage," wrote one soldier "...Pegram's men soon returned."

"The trees around our guns were literally torn to pieces and the ground plowed up. I have been several times covered with dirt, and had it knocked in my eyes and mouth."
A Confederate artilleryman

Your feet can do damage. Please help preserve the earthworks by not walking on them.

Erected 2009 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 December 1937.

Location. 38° 14.894′ N, 77°

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26.131′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Lee Drive, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at the end of Lee Drive in the Fredericksburg National Military Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6 Lee Dr, Fredericksburg VA 22408, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fredericksburg Campaign (here, next to this marker); Jackson Holds Prospect Hill (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Fredericksburg Campaign (here, next to this marker); Jackson (here, next to this marker); Hamilton's Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hamilton's Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); A Southern Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Meade Pyramid (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009

2. Dead Horse Hill Marker

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2023

3. Dead Horse Hill Marker

Artillery on Prospect Hill image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009

4. Artillery on Prospect Hill

Two of several artillery pieces representing those of Walker's Battalion on Prospect Hill. Several lunettes are extant along the line, hence the warning on the marker to avoid damaging the historic works.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,465 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 24, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on August 24, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.