Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Historic Orange County, Virginia
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026
1. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker
The Mine Run Campaign 27 November 1863:
On November 26, 1863, the Union army launched the Mine Run Campaign in an attempt to drive the Confederates out of their Orange County defenses. The campaign was abandoned on December 2 in the face of Confederate resistance and equally hostile winter weather. In this rendering, soldiers of the Union II Corps advance west on the Orange Turnpike (today's Route 20) toward the settlement of Locust Grove. On the right at the top of the hill is Robinson's Tavern, the circa 1814 residence portion of which still stands today, relocated a short distance away. (Harper's Weekly newsmagazine drawing by Alfred Waud, who provided generous dimensions for the Turnpike.)
The Battle of the Wilderness:
ORange County and the surrounding area was the stage for many Civil War engagements and events, including the Battle of the Wilderness, fought May 5-6, 1864. The Battle of the Wilderness has the distinction of being the first time Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Union General Ulysses S. Grant clashed in battle. This engagement resulted in 25,000 casualties and marked Grant's first step toward
this page online
Images and text provided by Orange County Department of Tourism
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 1863.
Location. 38° 22.286′ N, 77° 46.106′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. It can be reached from Twin Drive 0.1 miles north of A and K Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Marker is in front of the Wilderness Walmart, visible from the unnamed parking lot right of way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2533 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in 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
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, July 27, 2026
2. Historic Orange County, Virginia Marker
The marker is the furthest to the right in the set of six under the overhang.
Other markers no longer nearby. Germanna Ford (was approx. Ύ mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Germanna Ford (was approx. 0.8 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 6, 2026
3. Robinson's Tavern
At its modern location in Locust Grove, as described in the marker. It is a private residence, view from the road.
More about this marker. This marker and those that adjoin it were part of a successful partnership between Walmart and the historical/preservation organizations that mobilized to convince Walmart not to build on the Wilderness Battlefield.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are the other markers erected next to this one at this Walmart.
Also see . . .
1. Wilderness Walmart Controversy Resolution. This article from the American Battlefield Trust (formerly Civil War Preservation Trust) details the resolution of the Wilderness Walmart drama that led to the installation of this marker and the five alongside it. (Submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.)
2. Mine Run Campaign Summary. From the American Battlefield Trust. (Submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 6, 2026
4. Payne's Farm Battlefield
The largest engagement of the Mine Run Campaign, the Battle of Payne's Farm, is preserved with a walking trail four miles west of the Walmart.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 4, 2025
5. The Wilderness Battlefield
The cast tablet marking Ewell's Corps' trench line, shown on the marker, is 3.85 miles south of the Walmart at Saunders' Field, National Park Services Driving Tour Stop # 4 of the Wilderness Battlefield.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 2, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
