Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Churchyard to Battleground
The Battle of Salem Church
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
For the first two days of May 1863, the boom of distant guns rattled the windows of Salem Church. Eight miles to the west, at Chancellorsville, Robert E. Lee’s main Confederate army battered a Union army nearly twice its size. Four miles to the east, a smaller Confederate force resisted a Union crossing at Fredericksburg. The handful of farmers who lived around Salem Church probably took comfort that the gunfire indeed seemed distant.
That suddenly changed on the afternoon of May 3. The Federals broke through at Fredericksburg and headed west on the Orange Turnpike (modern Route 3). Lee moved quickly eastward with 8,000 men to stop them. The collision came on this ridge – the first substantial high ground west of Fredericksburg. Confederates held a mile-long line centered on the church and after a brief but furious battle, repulsed the Federals.
(Map caption): To fight at Salem Church, Lee divided his army at Chancellorsville (43,000 men) in the face of hooker’s main force – more than 80,000 men. The gamble worked. Lee defeated the Federals here at Salem Church, then returned to Chancellorsville to confront Hooker’s main force again. Hooker retreated on May 6.
(Picture caption): Salem Church shown about 1890.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1863.
Location. 38° 17.299′ N, 77° 31.853′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Old Salem Church Road near Plank Road (Virginia Route 3). This marker is colocated with two other markers near the parking lot for the Old Salem Church Battlefield Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12026 Old Salem Church Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22407, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sanctuaries in Spotsylvania (here, next to this marker); For All Anguish – For Some Freedom (here, next to this marker); Salem Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Salem Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Refuge from Horror (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of Salem Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); From Church to Hospital (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Battle of Salem Church (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Regarding Churchyard to Battleground. This is one of five stops at Salem Church related to the Battle of Chancellorsville. See the Salem Church Virtual Tour by Markers in the links section for a listing of related markers on the tour.
Also see . . .
1. Salem Church Virtual Tour by Markers. The Salem Church site, surrounded by modern development, was an important site in the later stages of the Battle and Campaign of Chancellorsville. (Submitted on November 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Salem Church Walking Tour. National Park Service Trail Guide. (Submitted on November 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,213 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 2. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on November 12, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on July 25, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.