Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Seeking Cover

Battle of Fredericksburg

— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —

Seeking Cover Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 12, 2009

1. Seeking Cover Marker

Inscription.
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. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Killing Fields (here, next to this marker); The "Angel of Marye's Heights" (a few steps from this marker); Innis House (within shouting distance of this marker); Kirkland Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunken Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephens Family Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Brompton (within shouting distance of this marker); The Original Wall (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

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 in its details, the image shows many of the principle landmarks of the battlefield, including the Stratton house and swale.

Close Up of the Painting image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 12, 2009

2. Close Up of the Painting

Markers at the Corner of Mercer Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, December 12, 2009

3. Markers at the Corner of Mercer Street

Federal Advance image. Click for full size.

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.

Stratton House image. Click for full size.

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 1,723 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 19, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.