Near Chancellorsville in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Flanking of Hays' Brigade
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 18, 2008
1. Flanking of Hays' Brigade Marker
On this ridge, the Union brigade of Brig. Gen. William Hays, supported by artillery, temporarily stopped the Confederate advance across the ground below you. A member of the 12th New Jersey described what happened next: "We were in open sight, without earthworks or protection of any kind, except a few trees when an unfortunate break to the rear of the regiment on our right left a vast hole in our line, through which the Rebels, unseen by us, got in our flank and rear and rolled our line up endways, just like a piece of ribbon." Hays and all but one member of his staff were captured. The rest of the command retreated to the next ridge.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 18.744′ N, 77° 38.615′ W. Marker is near Chancellorsville, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It can be reached from Plank Road (State Highway 3) east of Bullock Road, on the right when traveling west. Located at trail stop five on the Chancellorsville History Trail, at the Chancellorsville Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8821 Plank Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: Junction of Earthworks (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Union Army Escapes (about
this page online
Also see . . . Battle of Chancellorsville. National Park Service site. (Submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, October 18, 2008
2. Chancellorsville History Trail - Stop Five
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,064 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
