Lake of the Woods in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Before Gordon's Flank Attack
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 23, 2026
1. Before Gordon's Flank Attack Marker
You are standing between the battle lines of the Union and Confederate armies during the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864, just before Gordon's Flank Attack at about 6 PM!!
Following the first day's fighting in the Battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, the opposing armies formed battle lines and dug entrenchments facing each other, sometimes less than 500 yards apart. One Federal battle line started near the Orange Turnpike (modern day Route 20) and extended north into today's Lake of the Woods, crossing today's Lakeview Parkway near Madison Circle to the east of here. A Confederate battle line facing those Federals crossed Lakeview near Lee Circle just to the west of here, but it also continued down into a 20-foot deep ravine through which snaked Flat Run Creek and up to the other side of today's main lake near Manassas Point.
On May 6, Confederate General John B. Gordon discovered that Union forces had failed to dig in on the north end to protect the flank of their line. Gordon had his Confederates charge out of the ravine, across the site where you are standing, toward the startled Federals, who turned and
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After routing the enemy, Gordon's forces occupied the trenches of the former Union battle line. One Confederate wrote that they were surprised to discover the fieldwork was "made of dirt, logs, dead men, blankets, and every object that could be picked up."
The next day, both armies withdrew from the Wilderness to face each other at the battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse as General U.S. Grant's Overland Campaign continued.
Today, along these battle lines here in Lake of the Woods, a few remnants of the entrenchments still can be seen... reminders of one of the significant events to take place in the Battle of the Wilderness.
Erected 2017 by Civil War Study Group, Inc., Lake of the Woods.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1864.
Location. 38° 19.75′ N, 77° 45.924′ W. Marker is in Lake of the Woods, Virginia, in Orange County. It is on Lakeview Parkway 0.1 miles south of Sussex Road, on the right when traveling
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 23, 2026
2. Before Gordon's Flank Attack Marker
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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gordon's Flank Attack (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dedicated To The Fallen (approx. ¼ mile away); From Wilderness Run To Flat Run (approx. ¼ mile
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 23, 2026
3. Before Gordon's Flank Attack Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
