Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Seeking Cover
Battle of Fredericksburg
| | Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 12, 2009
1. Seeking Cover Marker
For Union soldiers who attacked Marye's Heights, the open plain in front of you offered just two sources of cover: the brick Stratton house, visible just two blocks ahead on the left side of the street, and the swale, a slight drop in the landscape just beyond the Stratton house. Both are visible from this location.
For three days, Union soldiers stubbornly clung to their position in front of the stone wall, pinned down by Confederate riflemen in the Sunken Road. Some Union soldiers lying in the swale tried to protect themselves by pushing dirt in front of them. Others sought shelter behind the bodies of fallen comrades. Night alone brought protection.
The enemy riddled every moving thing in sight ....
Capt. John W. Ames, 11th United States Infantry.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 17.763′ N, 77° 28.086′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is on Mercer Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in front of the Inns House on the Sunken Road walking trail in the Fredericksburg battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area and in Northern Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers.
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Angel of Marye's Heights (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Innis House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Fredericksburg Campaign (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. On the right is a painting depicting the battle in front of Marye's Heights. This watercolor, by Private John G. Keyser, depicts the initial assault on Marye's Heights. Keyser took part in that attack. He drew this picture from the vantage point of the Union soldiers, who were looking toward you. Although inaccurate
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 12, 2009
2. Close Up of the Painting
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 12, 2009
3. Markers at the Corner of Mercer Street
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 12, 2009
4. Federal Advance
Looking east from the marker. Notice the slight rise of Mercer Street. This is the "swale," which is today covered with residential neighborhoods.
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 13, 2008
5. Stratton House
The Stratton House still stands at the corner of Mercer and Littlepage Streets.
Photographed by Craig Swain, December 13, 2008
6. Federal Advance
Looking from beside the Stratton House toward the marker location and Marye's Heights.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,201 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
