Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Final Meeting, Fateful March
The Battle of Chancellorsville
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
1. Final Meeting, Fateful March Marker
To reach the Union army's right flank, Jackson would have to march his corps twelve miles over narrow, unpaved roads. The general hoped to have his men moving by dawn on May 2, but he got an unusually late start. It was past 7 a.m. before his troops left their camps on the Orange Plank Road and passed this point on the first leg of their journey.
Jackson rode near the head of the marching column. His face appeared flushed, and his eyes flashed in anticipation of the coming conflict. When he reached the intersection, he dismounted and spoke with Generals Lee, A.P. Hill, and J.E.B. Stuart. The informal council lasted but a few minutes. Jackson then pointed toward the head of his moving column and galloped off. It was the last time that he and Lee would ever meet.
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 month for this entry is May 1849.
Location. 38° 17.698′ N, 77° 37.53′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of South McLaws Drive and Old Plank Road, on the right when traveling south on South McLaws Drive. Located at tour stop five of the Driving tour of the Battle
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Bold Plan (here, next to this marker); Chancellorsville Campaign (a few steps from this marker); Bivouac (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); McLaws Trail (approx. half a mile away); Wounding of Jackson (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.7 miles away); Jackson on the Move (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
More about this marker. The right side of the marker displays a painting of the meeting. "This is one of several post-war images that attempted to capture the scene here on the morning of May 2, 1863 - the last meeting of the South's two greatest military leaders." On the lower left is a map depicting Jackson's march with the explanation, "From here, Jackson's men wound through the woods for twelve miles until they reached the unprotected Union flank along the Orange Turnpike."
Regarding Final Meeting, Fateful March. This is one of several markers for the Battle of Chancellorsville
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
2. Jackson' March Map
Note the north seeking arrow points to the bottom of the map.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Chancellorsville. National Parks Service site. (Submitted on November 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. McLaws's Line to Catharine Furnace Virtual Tour by Markers. Spread across a two mile segment on the east side of the battlefield, this virtual tour by markers covers action from May 1-3, 1863. (Submitted on November 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
3. Markers at the Lee-Jackson Bivouac Site
Beyond the markers is the intersection of the Old Plank Road and what is today McLaws Drive. At the time of the war, the latter was a road leading to Catherine Furnace to the south.
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 18, 2008
4. Final Meeting, Fateful March Marker
Lee- Jackson Bivouac, Stop #5 on the Chancellorsville driving tour. This marker is located here to the right
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 18, 2008
5. Chancellorsville Visitor Center Display
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,453 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on October 29, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on July 25, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
