Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Valuable Crossroads
Battle of the Wilderness
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
1. Valuable Crossroads Marker
Just after noon on May 5, 1864, Union troops raced toward this intersection. With Confederates from General A.P. Hill's corps sweeping down the Orange Plank Road from the west, blue-clad troops under George W. Getty arrived here just moments before the Confederates. The Federals immediately started building earthworks to defend the crossroads. The remnants of those works are still visible along the Brock Road.
Later on May 5, men of the Union Second Corps launched attacks westward from these earthworks. They did not get far. About 200 yards behind you, they crashed into Hill's line, entrenched among the leaves. For the next five hours, fighting raged in these woods. Neither side gained an advantage. Thousands fell. May 6 promised a bloody renewal of the contest for the Plank Road-Brock Road intersection.
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 1864.
Location. 38° 18.037′ N, 77° 42.564′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Horror on the Orange Plank Road (a few steps from this marker); Echoes Homeward (within shouting distance of this marker); Hell Itself (within shouting distance of this marker); The Climax (within shouting distance of this marker); No Turning Back (within shouting distance of this marker); On to Richmond! (within shouting distance of this marker); 12th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers 1862 - 1865 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Vermont Brigade (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
More about this marker. The background of the marker is a drawing of Federal troops fighting in the Wilderness. On the right is a photo of The Orange Plank Road soon after the war. Note the tangled growth along the roadside, which made fighting in this region especially difficult.
Also see . . . Battle of Wilderness. National Park Service site provides links to a summary of the campaign, maps for driving and walking tours, and additional photos of the battlefield. (Submitted on January 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
2. Valuable Crossroads Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
3. Modern Day View of the Orange Plank and Brock Road Intersection
Photographed By Craig Swain
4. ".... Like Earthen Snakes..."
A segment of trenches along the Brock Road, these from Hancock's Federal Corps, are preserved near the intersection. All around the area are trenches from both the 1863 and 1864 battles fought over this terrain.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,494 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 26, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
