Near Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Campaign of 1781

Lafayette's Maneuvers

Photographed by Kathy Walker, December 25, 2009

1. The Campaign of 1781 Lafayette's Maneuvers Marker

Inscription. In the campaign of 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette marched through the Wilderness to rendezvous with Brig. Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne. On 3 June 1781, Lafayette's army camped to the south of the Wilderness Bridge across Wilderness Run from Ellwood. The next day, Lafayette reconnoitered Ely's Ford while the army crossed Germanna Ford to reach Culpeper Church. Afterward Lafayette marching south, recrossed the Rapidan River. During his Grand American Tour, Lafayette retraced his campaign and visited the Wilderness twice. In November 1824, Lafayette attended a reception at the Wilderness Tavern, and in August 1825 he breakfasted at Ellwood.

Erected 2009 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number OC-22.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 3, 1781.

Location. 38° 19.362′ N, 77° 43.93′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. It is at the intersection of Constitution Highway (Virginia Route 20) and Brigadiers Way ( Route 720), on the left when traveling south on Constitution Highway. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 36551 Constitution Hwy, Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia

and in the Piedmont.

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grant Comes to Virginia (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grant’s Headquarters (about 500 feet away); An Uneasy Partnership (about 500 feet away); The Yard: A Busy Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Busy Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ellwood - Home and Workplace (approx. ¼ mile away); Toil Without Choice at Ellwood (approx. ¼ mile away); Archeology at Ellwood (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

Additional commentary.
1. Other places around this sign
If you continue down Brigadier Road you will see a small cemetery on the right. This is the Alexander Chapel and cemetery. (Sometimes referred to as the Dempsey Cemetery). The road is blocked but if you walk further down, you will see the intersection of old route 20 and the Parker Store Road--an important "little country road" of the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5-6, 1864.

— Submitted June 6, 2011, by Bob Johnson of Orange, Virginia.

Photographed by Kathy Walker, December 25, 2009

2. The Campaign of 1781 Lafayette's Maneuvers Marker

Looking south on Route 20

1781 Campsite area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Payette, August 13, 2016

3. 1781 Campsite area

The old trace of the Orange Turnpike between Wilderness Run and the Wilderness Tavern. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pete Payette, September 28, 2014

4. The old trace of the Orange Turnpike between Wilderness Run and the Wilderness Tavern.

View is looking east. The 1781 campsite area is in the farm fields off to the right of the picture. The modern-day state highway (VA Rt. 3) is behind the tree line on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,189 times since then and 59 times this year. Last updated on April 15, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on May 2, 2017, by Pete Payette of Orange, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.