Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Elisha Franklin Paxton
The Battle of Chancellorsville
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
| | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | |
Photographed by Shane Oliver, October 7, 2017
1. Elisha Franklin Paxton Marker
The monument across the road marks where General Elisha Franklin Paxton, commander of the famed Stonewall Brigade, fell on May 3, 1863. Before the war, Frank Paxton had practiced law in "Stonewall" Jackson's hometown of Lexington, Virginia. When, in 1863, Jackson needed a man to command the Stonewall Brigade, he chose Paxton over several more qualified candidates.
Before the battle, Paxton foreshadowed his own death in a letter to his wife.
"The future is dark enough. Though sound in health and strength, I feel that life to many of us hangs upon a slender thread. Whenever God wills it that mine pass from me, I feel that I can say in calm resignation, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' And now, darling, good-bye."
[Caption:]
Paxton is buried in Lexington, just a few yards from his neighbor and friend "Stonewall" Jackson
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 date for this entry is May 3, 1863.
Location. 38° 18.525′ N, 77° 39.109′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia,
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: Bloody Morning (here, next to this marker); Night-time Horror (here, next to this marker); Brig. Gen. E. F. Paxton, C.S.A. (within shouting distance of this
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 14, 2026
2. Elisha Franklin Paxton Marker
The monument to Paxton is also visible, across the road.
Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on January 8, 2018.)
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 15, 2017
3. Grave of Elisha Paxton
Located at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lexington, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 694 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 3, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on January 30, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
