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

The Mine Run Campaign

Meade vs. Lee

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 6, 2026

1. The Mine Run Campaign Marker

Inscription.

The Mine Run Campaign. Meade vs. Lee. “The promptness with which this unexpected attack was met and repulsed reflects great credit upon General Johnson and the officers and men of his division.” , Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA, “The delay in the movements of the Third Corps, and, particularly the failure to affect a junction at Robertson’s Tavern, was one of the primary causes of the failure of the recent movement.” , Gen. George Gordon Meade, USA, Eager to strike Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia before winter, Union Gen. George Gordon Meade planned a flanking movement across the Rapidan River late in 1863. Meade intended to force the Southerners to abandon their strong defensive position along the upper Rapidan. Success depended on the timely movement of the different portions of his army and their juncture at Locust Grove, south of the river., The Mine Run Campaign began on November 26, 1863. Rain, bad roads, and an inadequate knowledge of the terrain hindered Meade’s movements. After long delays and before the Union forces could assemble at Locust Grove, elements of the Union and Confederate armies clashed here at Payne’s Farm on November 27. By the next day, Confederate forces had established a seemingly impregnable line of defenses behind Mine Run, a tributary of the Rapidan. Meade ordered his army back across the Rapidan River and into winter camp. After more than 1,900 combined casualties, both armies returned to the positions they occupied before the Mine Run Campaign., Photo Captions:, The Mine Run Campaign highlighted the cultures of its armies and commanders. The relatively conservative Gen. George G. Meade (right), contrasted sharply with his daring adversary, Gen. Robert E. Lee. Courtesy Library of Congress, Union Gen. George G. Meade planned a flanking maneuver across the lightly guarded lower fords of the Rapidan River to put his Army of the Potomac squarely on Gen. Robert E. Lee’s right flank., The site of Robinson’s Tavern (called Robertson’s Tavern by the soldiers) at Locust Grove is approximately two miles south of Payne’s Farm. The tavern building itself still stands but was moved some 250 yards north on Zoar Road (present-day State Route 611). - Courtesy Library of Congress

“The promptness with which this unexpected attack was met and repulsed reflects great credit upon General Johnson and the officers and men of his division.” — Gen. Robert E. Lee, CSA

“The delay in the movements of the Third Corps, and, particularly the failure to affect a junction at Robertson’s Tavern, was one of the primary causes of the failure of the recent movement.” — Gen. George Gordon Meade, USA

Eager to strike Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia before winter, Union Gen. George Gordon Meade planned a flanking movement across the Rapidan River late in 1863. Meade intended to force the Southerners to abandon their strong defensive position along the upper Rapidan. Success depended on the timely movement of the different portions of his army and their juncture at Locust Grove, south of the river.

The Mine Run Campaign began on November 26, 1863. Rain, bad roads, and an inadequate knowledge of the terrain hindered Meade’s movements. After long delays and before the Union forces could assemble at Locust Grove, elements of the Union and Confederate armies clashed here at Payne’s Farm on

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November 27. By the next day, Confederate forces had established a seemingly impregnable line of defenses behind Mine Run, a tributary of the Rapidan. Meade ordered his army back across the Rapidan River and into winter camp. After more than 1,900 combined casualties, both armies returned to the positions they occupied before the Mine Run Campaign.

Photo Captions:

The Mine Run Campaign highlighted the cultures of its armies and commanders. The relatively conservative Gen. George G. Meade (right), contrasted sharply with his daring adversary, Gen. Robert E. Lee. Courtesy Library of Congress

Union Gen. George G. Meade planned a flanking maneuver across the lightly guarded lower fords of the Rapidan River to put his Army of the Potomac squarely on Gen. Robert E. Lee’s right flank.

The site of Robinson’s Tavern (called Robertson’s Tavern by the soldiers) at Locust Grove is approximately two miles south of Payne’s Farm. The tavern building itself still stands but was moved some 250 yards north on Zoar Road (present-day State Route 611). - Courtesy Library of Congress

Erected by American Battlefield Trust, Civil War Trails.

Topics.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 6, 2026

2. The Mine Run Campaign Marker

The battlefield is in the woods immediately beyond the marker, and off to the right of the frame east on the Payne farm lane, which dates to the battle.

This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 1863.

Location. 38° 19.9′ N, 77° 49.612′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. It is on Zoar Road (Virginia Route 611) 0.1 miles south of Zoar School Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31391 Zoar Road, 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: A different marker also named The Mine Run Campaign (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Payne’s Farm (about

Robinson's Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 6, 2026

3. Robinson's Tavern

Moved in 1994 to behind the gas station, this ca. 1814 building is the "Robertson's" tavern referenced on the marker as formerly sitting at Locust Grove. Though called "Robertson's" on Federal maps and - to this day - by locals, it was built and operated by the Robinson family. During the Civil War, it was owned by John Almond, who had married a Robinson (step)daughter - Mary Ann Robinson. It has never been owned by any "Robertson." Robinson's Tavern is its correct name. It is a private residence.

500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Mine Run Campaign (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Mine Run Campaign (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. It preceded this marker but was placed across the road by the church before the parking lot was installed.

Locust Grove image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 6, 2026

4. Locust Grove

Locust Grove is the crossroads visible in the background here. The well in the foreground is the original well from Robinson's Tavern, still in its original position. Robinson's Tavern at Locust Grove was the designated junction point for each of Meade's army's elements.

Payne's Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 6, 2026

5. Payne's Farm

This view is from the historic farm road leading to the farm (tree line in the distance with a ruined post-battle barn crumbling at its edge) with the field the Confederates wheeled their counterattack through shown at left beyond the battlefield interpretive panel. Note the marker shown is not the marker this page is for; this photograph is illustrative of the farm itself only.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 29 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 24, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.