Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Mine Run Campaign
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 5, 2008
1. Mine Run Campaign Marker
Inscription.
Mine Run Campaign. . Amidst numbing cold and stinging rain, in late 1863 Union General George G. Meade and his Army of the Potomac attempted a year-end stroke against Robert E. Lee. This effort climaxed along Mine Run, two miles in front of you., Since Gettysburg, much had happened but little had been accomplished by either side. In late November, General Meade tried to change all that. Meade's plan: cross the Rapidan below Lee's right flank, turn westward, and fight Lee in the open spaces of Orange County. The Union columns started on November 26, but the program went awry from the start. Part of the Union column delayed, then took a wrong turn. And Robert E. Lee responded faster than Meade anticipated., Lee expected Meade to run for the vital railroads south of Fredericksburg, but instead he watched with pleasure as the Federals turned west, toward him. Lee marched quickly out of his camps along the Rapidan. By the time the Union columns reached here, Robinson's Tavern, Lee's army was contesting their every step. The Federals pushed to Mine Run and stopped; the Confederates dug in on the high ground west of the stream (two miles from here). Meade prepared to attack.
Amidst numbing cold and stinging rain, in late 1863 Union General George G. Meade and his Army of the Potomac attempted a year-end stroke against Robert E. Lee. This effort climaxed along Mine Run, two miles in front of you.
Since Gettysburg, much had happened but little had been accomplished by either side. In late November, General Meade tried to change all that. Meade's plan: cross the Rapidan below Lee's right flank, turn westward, and fight Lee in the open spaces of Orange County. The Union columns started on November 26, but the program went awry from the start. Part of the Union column delayed, then took a wrong turn. And Robert E. Lee responded faster than Meade anticipated.
Lee expected Meade to run for the vital railroads south of Fredericksburg, but instead he watched with pleasure as the Federals turned west, toward him. Lee marched quickly out of his camps along the Rapidan. By the time the Union columns reached here, Robinson's Tavern, Lee's army was contesting their every step. The Federals pushed to Mine Run and stopped; the Confederates dug in on the high ground west of the stream (two miles from here). Meade prepared to attack.
Erected by Orange County Historical Society American Battlefield Protection Program.
Topics and series. This historical marker
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is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Battlefield Trails - Civil War series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 38° 18.292′ N, 77° 48.645′ W. Marker is unreadable. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker is at the intersection of Constitution Highway (State Highway 20) and Gold Dale Road (County Route 611), on the right when traveling east on Constitution Highway. Located in a pull off to the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Marker is significantly weathered and is mostly unreadable.
sectionhead>More about this marker. On the left is a drawing of "The Union Fifth Corps approaches this intersection (Locust Grove) from the east on November 27. Robinson's Tavern is the double chimney building to the right off the road. The tavern was moved in 1994 and now stands about 200 yards behind the store to your right. You are standing about where the trees on the horizon to the left of of the road is located."
A map on the lower right details the campaign. "The only significant fighting of the campaign took place on November 27 at Payne's Farm, about three miles north of this intersection. This Confederate delaying action seriously disrupted Union plans."
Regarding Mine Run Campaign. This marker is one in a series that detail the Mine Run Campaign. See the Mine Run Virtual Tour by Markers link below for a full list.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Mine Run Virtual Tour by Markers
4. Orange County Historical Society's Mine Run Markers
Located at the intersection near Robinson's Tavern.
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 5, 2008
5. Indiantown Road
The Federal III Corps, lead by Major General William French, passed from Jacob's Ford (from the road path leading off the photo to the right) through this point along what is today CR 603. Use the National Park Service tour guide for driving instructions (see link).
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 5, 2008
6. French and Prince are Lost
At this point, where the Indiantown and Russel Roads intersect, Generals French and Prince (one of French's division commanders) debated which road led to Robinson's Tavern. While this vacillation took place, General Meade's plans were rapidly unraveled by delay. Across the intersection stood the Widow Morris Farm house, which French would use as a headquarters.
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 5, 2008
7. Payne's Farm
Looking from the parking lot for the New Zoar Church, the Confederates under General Edward Johnson formed along the road here and advanced into the woods to the left of the road into the open fields around Payne's Farm. The ground is currently under private ownership, but remains generally undisturbed.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,739 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on May 26, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos:1. submitted on January 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on May 18, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on February 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
