Near Chancellorsville in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Stone's Reconnaissance

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 18, 2008

1. Stone's Reconnaissance Marker

Inscription.
Union soldiers on the front line probably utilized these rifle pits on May 3-5. Trenches on the other side of the creek possibly served Confederate skirmishers. While the fighting raged near Salem Church, Union Maj. Gen. John F. Reynolds believed that the Federal army of 75,000 should attack the 25,000 Confederates facing it here at Chancellorsville. After Hooker refused to assume the offense, Reynolds ordered Col. Roy Stone's brigade on a reconnaissance, hoping this would lead to a general engagement. Stone, however, was unaware of Reynolds' ulterior motive. After advancing close enough to hear the enemy's voices, the colonel withdrew.

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° 19.138′ N, 77° 38.606′ W. Marker is near Chancellorsville, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It can be reached from Bullock Road west of Elys Ford Road, on the left when traveling east. The marker stands at trail stop nine on the Chancellorsville History Trail, at the Chancellorsville Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9100 Elys Ford Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22407, 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: A Midnight Conference (approx. ¼ mile away); Chancellorsville

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Colquitt’s Attack (approx. 0.3 miles away); Colquitt Turns Tyler’s Flank (approx. 0.3 miles away); Tyler’s Withdrawal To This Line (approx. 0.3 miles away); Apex of Hooker’s Last Line (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Lifeline (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hooker's Final Bastion (approx. 0.4 miles away).

Also see . . . Battle of Chancellorsville. National Park Service page detailing the battle. (Submitted on October 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Chancellorsville History Trail - Stop Nine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 18, 2008

2. Chancellorsville History Trail - Stop Nine

Trenches in the Vicinity of the Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, October 18, 2008

3. Trenches in the Vicinity of the Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,152 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on March 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.