Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

REPLACED

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The Battle of Harris Farm

Final Battle Around Spotsylvania Court House

— Harris Farm Battlefield Civil War Site —

The Battle of Harris Farm Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

1. The Battle of Harris Farm Marker

Inscription.
From May 8-18, 1864, Union troops battered Gen. Robert E. Lee's lines at Spotsylvania Court House. Unable to defeat the Confederates by direct assault, Union commander Ulysses S. Grant determined to head south, drawing Lee out of his Spotsylvania defense. Suspecting Grant's move, Lee ordered Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell to located the Union army's right flank.

On May 19, 1864, Ewell sent his entire corps, reduced by recent fighting to just 6,000 men, on a reconnaissance-in-force toward the Fredericksburg Road (modern Route 208). Brig. Gen. Stephen D. Ramseur's North Carolina brigade led the march. About 4:00 p.m., Ramseur's men encountered elements of the 4th New York Heavy Artillery one mile west of here and slowly drove them back to this point.

Ewell's advance caught Grant off guard. Fearful that the Confederates might seize the Fredericksburg Road and turn his flank, Grant ordered nearby troops into action. The result was a short but fierce fight here at Harris Farm.

Erected by Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1825.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was

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located near 38° 14.051′ N, 77° 34.212′ W. Marker was near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It was at the intersection of Monument Court and Knob Hill Court, on the right when traveling north on Monument Court. The marker is located on a small tract operated by the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites, Inc. The site is reached from Courthouse Road (CR 208), turning west on Bloomsbury Road. At the intersection of Bloomsbury Road and Monument Drive, continue straight. Park along the road only, and use marked path to the monument area. 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 (a few steps from 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 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Harris Farm (about 500 feet away); Engagement at Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) (approx. half a mile away); Landram Farm (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Other markers

The 1st Massachusetts Monument and Interpretive Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

2. The 1st Massachusetts Monument and Interpretive Markers

no longer nearby. Seeing the Elephant (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Harris Farm (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Harris Farm (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the left is a wartime photo of Confederate earthworks around Spotsylvania. Next to the photo is a portrait of General Ramseur. On the right is a battle map, captioned Using farm roads impassible for artillery, Ewell's Corps marches out from Confederate lines, looking to turn Grant's right flank. About 4:00 p.m. advance units under Brigadier General Stephen D. Ramseur run into part of the 4th New York Heavy Artillery. As Ewell's men advance, additional Federal units are ordered up to defend the flank and protect the Fredericksburg Road.

This marker was replaced by a new one named Harris Farm — Harris Farm Engagement (see nearby markers).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Battle of Harris Farm

Also see . . . Harris Farm. Details of the CWPT site and the battle. (Submitted on July 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Ramseur's Advance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

3. Ramseur's Advance

Ramseur's Brigade encountered the 4th New York in what is now the wooded subdivision to the east of the marker location.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 5,841 times since then and 89 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.