Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Engagement at Harris Farm (Bloomsbury)

Photographed by Kevin W., November 18, 2007

1. Engagement at Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) Marker

Inscription. On 19 May 1864 Confederate forces commanded by Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell attacked Brig. Gen. Robert O. Tyler's heavy artillery division on the Union right flank near the Harris farm, Bloomsbury, about one-quarter mile northwest. Newly arrived from the forts protecting Washington, D.C., the inexperienced "heavies" fought as infantry and stubbornly held their ground. At dark Ewell withdrew, ending the last major engagement of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. The Confederates suffered 900 casualties at the Harris farm, the Federals about 1,500. Two days later, the Union army marched to the North Anna River as Grant maneuvered south toward Richmond.

Erected 1993 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number EM-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 19, 1864.

Location. 38° 13.774′ N, 77° 33.758′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is on Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) 0 miles Bloomsbury Lane (County Route 1470), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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

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are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Harris Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Harris Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pvt. James Z. Branscomb, CSA (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Harris Farm (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Harris Farm (approx. half a mile away); First Regiment Heavy Artillery (approx. half a mile away); "If It Takes All Summer" (approx. 1½ miles away); The Fredericksburg Road (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Other markers no longer nearby. Harris Farm (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Harris Farm (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Seeing the Elephant (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Battle of Harris Farm (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . . Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) destroyed on December 20, 2014. Sadly the historic house and outbuildings were completely destroyed by the private owners. (Submitted on March 13, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Photographed by Kevin W., November 18, 2007

2. Engagement at Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) Marker

Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John F. Cummings III, March 24, 2010

3. Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) House

Courtesy of John F. Cummings III at http://spotsylvaniacw.blogspot.com

Side view of Harris Farm (Bloomsbury) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John F. Cummings III, March 24, 2010

4. Side view of Harris Farm (Bloomsbury)

Courtesy of John F. Cummings III at http://spotsylvaniacw.blogspot.com

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,540 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on March 13, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.