Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Mine Run Campaign

The Battle of Payne’s Farm

By Bernard Fisher, April 30, 2011

1. The Mine Run Campaign Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

“The brave officers and men of this division, attacked by a greatly superior force from an admirable position, turned upon him and drove him from the field, which he left strewn with arms, artillery and infantry ammunition, his dead and dying.” — Gen. Edward Johnson, CSA

“The sanguinary loss of the enemy, and their repulse, leaving their dead and wounded in hospital upon the field, exhibit the prowess of the corps beyond any terms which it is in my power to express.” — Gen. William H. French, USA

On the morning of November 27, 1863, Union Gen. George G. Meade expected the Union Third Army Corps under Gen. William H. French to break camp early and march directly to Locust Grove to join the rest of Meade’s command. After a lengthy delay in determining the correct route, French’s leading division under Gen. Henry Prince advanced. It encountered elements of Confederate Gen. Edward Johnson’s division, which was then marching along the road in front of you coming from your left.

The battle erupted and spilled into the woods and fields beyond the road. More troops joined

2. The Mine Run Campaign Marker

The opposing commanders at Payne’s Farm, Confederate Gen. Edward Johnson and Union Gen. William H. French, graduated from West Point a year apart. Both were brevetted to the rank of major for gallantry and meritorious conduct In the Mexican War. Courtesy Library of Congress

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the fight until ultimately 16,000 men were engaged. The aggressive Johnson launched a series of uncoordinated assaults against his numerically superior foe. His attacks eventually stalled in bloody stalemate as darkness brought a close to the action. Resulting in more than 1,400 casualties, the Battle of Payne’s Farm (also known as Locust Grove) was the only significant action of the campaign. Johnson’s command suffered heavy casualties but gave the Confederates more time to reunite and establish a strong position along Mine Run.

Erected 2011 by The Civil War Trust and Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 27, 1878.

Location. 38° 19.936′ N, 77° 49.708′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker is at the intersection of Zoar Road (Virginia Route 611) and Zoar School Road, on the left when traveling north on Zoar Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31334 Zoar Road, Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Mine Run Campaign (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Payne’s Farm (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm

3. The Mine Run Campaign Marker

In the seesaw Battle of Payne’s Farm, the Union prevailed in holding its positions but lost precious time in assembling at Robinson’s Tavern, which ultimately resulted in the failure of the campaign.

(approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Payne’s Farm (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

Also see . . .
1. Mine Run. Civil War Trust (Submitted on May 2, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. Mine Run. CWSAC Battle Summary (Submitted on May 2, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Battlefield of the "Wilderness" image. Click for full size.

1864

4. Battlefield of the "Wilderness"

Views in the woods in the Federal lines on north side of Orange Plank Road. Library of Congress [LC-USZC4-7957]

The night after the battle, a newspaper correspondent wrote “The fighting that has occurred to-day has been wholly in the woods of the most dense and tangled character, filled with underbrush, dead logs, thickets of scrub oak, &c. — a continuation of the woods to the west of Chancellorsville, from which the country has been so appropriate named “Wilderness.”

The Mine Run Campaign Markers image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, April 30, 2011

5. The Mine Run Campaign Markers

The armies collide at Payne's Farm image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, April 30, 2011

6. The armies collide at Payne's Farm

Johnson's Confederate Division approached Locust Grove from Raccoon Ford Rd (Zoar Rd on left) while French's Union III Corps advanced down Jacob's Ford Rd (Indiantown Rd on right).

Payne Farm Lane image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, April 30, 2011

7. Payne Farm Lane

Payne's Farm Battlefield image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, April 30, 2011

8. Payne's Farm Battlefield

Union troops were positioned in the near treeline (left), while Confederate forces advanced from the distant Payne Farm Lane (far right).

By Bernard Fisher, April 30, 2011

9. Payne's Farm Battlefield

Confederate forces aligned on the farm lane (right) before advancing toward the Union position in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 1, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,329 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 1, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 2, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.