Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Union Lifeline
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
1. Union Lifeline Marker
On April 30, 1863, Gen. George G. Meade's Union Fifth Corps advanced along this road toward Chancellorsville. As Meade's troops approached, Confederates on the Bullock Farm briefly resisted them, then disappeared into the woods to spread word of the Union advance. For the next three days the armies would grapple beyond the Chancellorsville crossroads, one mile to your right.
Throughout the battle fresh troops arrived along this road, until more than 90,000 Federals crowded the battlefield. On May 3, after perhaps the most intense morning of fighting in American history, the Federals spilled back along this road and through the adjacent woods. A portion of General Joseph Hooker's final line is visible across the road.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1864.
Location. 38° 19.031′ N, 77° 38.244′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is at the intersection of Elys Ford Road (County Route 610) and Bullock Road, on the right when traveling south on Elys Ford Road. The marker stands at the Bullock House Site, stop two of the driving tour of Chancellorsville Battlefield.
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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. 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: Hooker's Final Bastion (here, next to this marker); Lives Transformed (a few steps from this marker); Apex of Hookers Last Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Line Contained Along Mineral Springs Road (approx. 0.3 miles away); Stone's Reconnaissance (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Counterattack (approx. 0.4 miles away); Flanking of Hays' Brigade (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. The right side of the marker displays "Union cavalry splashes across the Rapidan River at Ely's Ford." An inset of the upper right shows "Ely's Ford, about 1900." The lower left has an operational map showing "In the opening stages of the campaign, Union columns crossed the Rapidan and Rappahannock Rivers at three points and converged on Chancellorsville, compelling Confederate troops there to fall back to Zoan Church."
Regarding Union Lifeline. This is one of several markers for the Battle of Chancellorsville at the Bullock House
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
2. Two Markers beside Ely's Ford Road
Across the road, in the background, are remains of Federal earthworks used in Hooker's final line.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Chancellorsville. National Park Service site. (Submitted on November 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Bullock House Site Virtual Tour by Markers. The Bullock House Site portion of the battlefield (stop two on the driving tour of the battlefield) includes markers at the intersection of Bullock and Ely's Ford Roads. The position marked the apex of Hooker's final line. (Submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
3. Federal Defensive Line
About a half mile to the southeast are remains of Federal lines used on 1-3 May, indicated by the black and white metal sign. Couch's II Corps held these positions, which were abandoned when the withdrawal from Fairview opened up the Federal right flank.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,429 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on March 14, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
