Near Chancellorsville in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
First Day at Chancellorsville
Retreat Over Mott's Run
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
1. First Day at Chancellorsville Marker
"The road, the woods, and fields on either side, over which the enemy retired, were strewn with knapsacks, blankets, overcoats, and many other valuable articles."
- Gen. Paul Semmes, CSA
Union Gen. George Sykes, simultaneously flanked out of his position and ordered by Gen. Joseph Hooker to withdraw to Chancellorsville, called for a retreat. One soldier described the movement over the little brook in front of you then known as Mott's Run, but today called Lick Run:
"At this moment our regimental commander, Capt. [Salem S.] Marsh, faced around on his horse, and holding his sword aloft, shouted, 'Steady there, boys; don't run!' But as he uttered the last words a bullet struck him and he fell from his horse dead."
Erected 2008 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 date for this entry is May 1, 1863.
Location. 38° 17.898′ N, 77° 36.031′ W. Marker is near Chancellorsville, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It can be reached from Plank Road (State Highway 3) east of Montpelier Drive, on the right when traveling west
this page online
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: A different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. Ό mile away); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. Ό mile away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. 0.4 miles away).
More about this marker. In the center are two portraits:
Gen. George Sykes led the Federal vanguard along the Orange Turnpike and organized the careful withdrawal after the opening clash on the First Day of Chancellorsville.
Next to Sykes' portrait:
Brigade commander Col. Sidney Burbank reported, "The brigade was accordingly withdrawn slowly in line of battle
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 19, 2023
2. First Day at Chancellorsville Marker
On the right a map details the Federal withdrawal. Even though Hooker had ordered Sykes to fall back, Confederate Gen. Lafayette McLaws attributed the retreat to the combined weight of the Confederate attack.
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
3. Mott's Run
The Federal withdrawal passed over the creek here and continued to the west. The order of march was O'Rorke's Brigade, followed by Ayres' Brigade, with Burbank's bringing up the rear.
Photographed by Craig Swain, August 24, 2008
4. Rodes' Division on the Federal Right Flank
Rodes' Division, with Colquitt's, Doles's and Iverson's Brigades on line, approached from south of the Orange Turnpike. This pressured Sykes' Federals to quicken their withdrawal.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 5, 2015
5. Lick Run (Motts Run)
As viewed from the Civil War Trust walking trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,310 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on March 14, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on September 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on June 10, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 6. submitted on March 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
