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

This Monument Commemorates Our Local Militia Service (1675-1903)

circa 2025

1. This Monument Commemorates Our Local Militia Service (1675-1903) Marker

Inscription.
In 1675, Major Lawrence Smith was directed to build a Fort "at or neare the ffalls of Rapahannack" and garrison it with some 111 militiamen, some of whom were always ready to respond to the tap of the drum. In 1683, this garrison was replaced with the "Rappahannock Rangers," one of America's first ranger companies.

Many local militiamen were called into service at different times: Bacon's Rebellion (1676), French & Indian Wars (1754-1762), Revolutionary War (1775-1784, suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion (1794), War of 1812 (1812-1815), Mexican War (1846-1848), Civil War (1861-1865) and the Spanish American War (1898).

Additionally, there were numerous volunteer militia companies that served the area in the years between wars. The militia company, the Fredericksburg Guard, was formed in 1858; followed by the Fredericksburg Grays, 1859; The Washington Guards, 1880; Company G, 3d Regiment, 1881; Garfield Light Infantry Blues, 1882 (An African-American Unit); Company K, 3d Regiment, 1895; Company L, 70th Virginia Regiment, 1900. The local National Guard was formed from this volunteer militia service in 1903.

This

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Model 1841 Cannon was actually used by our local militia in the late 1800s for gunnery practice, training and ceremonies. Its here on long term loan from the City of Fredericksburg. This cannon has been restored and dedicated by the Fredericksburg Guard Association in 2014.
LTC David K. James (VaARNG Retired), President

"Sic Semper Tyrannis"

Erected 2014 by Fredericksburg Guard Association.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • War of 1812 • War, French and Indian • War, Mexican-American • War, Spanish-American • War, US Civil • War, US Revolutionary. A significant historical year for this entry is 1675.

Location. 38° 17.604′ N, 77° 29.048′ W. Memorial is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is on Emancipation Highway (U.S. 1) 0.1 miles south of William Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is on the grounds of the Virginia National Guard Armory and Recruiting Center, Fredericksburg. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1700 Emancipation Highway, Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

circa 2025

2. This Monument Commemorates Our Local Militia Service (1675-1903) Marker

& cannon with rotted replica carriage.

memorial 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 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: World War I Fredericksburg National Guard Monument (a few steps from this marker); Fredericksburg (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Virginia Central Railway (approx. 0.4 miles away); Building a Railroad Through a Stream Valley (approx. 0.4 miles away); Calvin Coolidge (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lee’s Position (approx. 0.7 miles away); Civil War Earthworks (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Walker Landram House (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

More about this memorial. The marker accompanies a 6-pounder Model 1841 Smoothbore Field Gun. The carriage has

Monument M1841 6-Pdr Field Gun image. Click for full size.

circa 2025

3. Monument M1841 6-Pdr Field Gun

The missing carriage wheel is against the wall at left.

deteriorated and was awaiting restoration at the time of photographing this marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.