Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Death of a Southern Radical
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Photographed By Mike McKeown
1. Death of a Southern Radical Marker
Inscription.
Death of a Southern Radical. The Battle of Fredericksburg. The South had few more ardent advocates for independence that Maxcy Gregg of South Carolina. He argued for secession long before most. He sought not just the protection of slavery, but its expansion into the West. And he urged the reopening of the prohibited African slave trade, the seizure of people in Africa, their transport to the United States, and their perpetual enslavement. In 1861, like many pre-war politicians, Gregg sought a command among his state's troops. On December 13, 1862, on this ride, his brigade of South Carolinians confronted a charging line of U.S. soldiers. A bullet struck General Gregg in the side piercing his spine. Two days later he died, consumed by the war he helped provoke.
The South had few more ardent advocates for independence that Maxcy Gregg of South Carolina. He argued for secession long before most. He sought not just the protection of slavery, but its expansion into the West. And he urged the reopening of the prohibited African slave trade—the seizure of people in Africa, their transport to the United States, and their perpetual enslavement. In 1861, like many pre-war politicians, Gregg sought a command among his state's troops. On December 13, 1862, on this ride, his brigade of South Carolinians confronted a charging line of U.S. soldiers. A bullet struck General Gregg in the side piercing his spine. Two days later he died, consumed by the war he helped provoke.
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 date for this entry is December 13, 1862.
Location. 38° 15.091′ N, 77° 26.664′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Lee Drive, 1˝ miles east of Lansdowne Road, on the right when traveling east. Located in the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park at Stop 5 on the Auto Tour, next to the Union Breakthrough sign. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 26 times this year. Photo1. submitted on December 9, 2023, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
