Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Harris Farm
Baptism of Fire
| | Lee vs. Grant - The 1864 Campaign | |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 15, 2014
1. Harris Farm Marker
Organized in January 1862, the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery spent most of its first two years of service in the defenses of Washington, D.C. Trained as artillerists, the regiment manned the large-caliber cannons in the forts that protected the capital. As Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grants casualty numbers mounted in the first two weeks of May 1864, however, the 1st Massachusetts Heavies, along with other commands, marched south to reinforce the Union army around Spotsylvania Court House. The regiment reached the army on May 18.
When Confederate Gen. Richard S. Ewells command advanced toward the Fredericksburg Road the next day, the Heavies went into action as infantry. The regiment deployed near the Harris House behind you. As if on parade, its lines swept forward. The Bay Staters revealed their lack of experience but fought confounded plucky. After four hours, the 1st Massachusetts still held its ground, and Ewell withdrew from the field. In the darkness, the Harris Farm was littered with dead, dying, and wounded. Of the 1,617 Heavies in the fight, 398 fell, almost 25 percent casualties an appalling loss.
Before the war ended, the 1st Massachusetts participated in many more battles, but the Harris Farm was its baptism of fire. On May 19, 1901, surviving Heavies returned here to the Harris Farm and
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Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1862.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 14.049′ N, 77° 34.208′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It could be reached from the intersection of South Harris Farm Road and Pond View Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 7103 Monument Ct, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Harris Farm (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Harris Farm (here, next to this marker); First Regiment Heavy Artillery (a few steps from this marker); Pvt. James Z. Branscomb, CSA (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Harris Farm (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line);
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 15, 2014
2. Harris Farm Markers
Other markers no longer nearby. Harris Farm (has been replaced with this marker); Seeing the Elephant (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Battle of Harris Farm (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement Marker At This Location also titled "Harris Farm".
Also see . . . Central Virginia Battlefield Trust. (Submitted on May 16, 2014.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 15, 2014
3. 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 977 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on May 15, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
