Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Spotsylvania Campaign
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
1. Spotsylvania Campaign Marker
May 12, 1864. About 4:30 a.m. Hancock's Federal II Corps, in one of the greatest surprise attacks of the War, struck Ewell's Confederate Corps entrenched here. Advancing in a solid rectangular mass, the Federal troops overwhelmed the defenders. The Confederates lost 20 cannon, upwards of 30 battle flags, several thousand small arms, and nearly all of Gen. Edward Johnson's Division of 3,500 men, including Johnson himself and Gen. George H. Steuart. The Confederate artillery, ordered back to this line after an ill-advised shift, had arrived just in time to be captured without firing. Hancock's mass formation, so successful here against infantry, might have withered under cannon fire.
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 12, 1864.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 13.415′ N, 77° 35.781′ W. Marker was near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It could be reached from Gordon Drive, on the left when traveling north. Located on the East Face of the Salient trail at tour stop six (East Face) on the driving tour
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: The Confederate Line (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dawn Assault (about 500 feet away); Fatal Mistake at the East Angle (about 500 feet away); "The Toughest Fight Yet" (about 800 feet away); Struggle for the Bloody Angle (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Confederate Earthworks (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Mass Capture (approx. 0.2 miles away); 15th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Spotsylvania Campaign (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
2. Two Campaign Markers at the East Angle
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
3. The Struggle for the Salient
Nearby a sign displays a reprint of a newspaper sketch - Army of the Potomac - The struggle for the salient, near Spotsylvania, Virginia May 12, 1864.
Photographed by Craig Swain, July 6, 2008
4. The East Angle
Looking from the trail path, from the direction of the Federal attack, toward the earthworks of the East Angle. The Confederate defenders had arranged the initial trenches at night, conforming to the existing woodlines. The resultant line formed a bulge of sorts, which offered many blind spots and was vulnerable to Federal attack. However, once the line was laid, Confederate commanders were reluctant to give up the ground, particularly high ground around the McCoull house.
via National Park Service, unknown
5. East Face of Salient
National Park Service Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park website entry
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,461 times since then and 18 times this year. Last updated on May 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on November 22, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
