Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fredericksburg Campaign

Photographed by Kevin W., February 2, 2008

1. Fredericksburg Campaign Marker

Inscription. December 11, 1862. The peacetime bridges having been destroyed, engineers of Burnside’s Federal Army began laying pontoons across the Rappahannock. Here, overlooking the upper pontoon site, Confederates of Barksdale’s Mississippi Brigade, sheltered in houses and cellars along this street, stopped the work. Bombardment by Federal cannon failed to dislodge the sharpshooters. Finally, the 7th Michigan Regiment, followed by the 19th Massachusetts, crossed the river in boats to establish a bridgehead. The pontoon bridges were completed and the 20th Massachusetts secured the streets. Barksdale’s Mississippians fell back during the night. The next day thousands of Federals poured over two bridges here and others down river, in preparation for the attack against Lee’s main line.

Below the marker is another marker commemorating the donation of the land. It reads:
This historic site was donated to the United States in 1964 by Miss Mary B. Garnett and Dr. Thomas B. Payne and wife, Virginia Garnett Payne, in memory of Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter, distinguished statesman, and Robert Mercer Payne, son of Dr. and Mrs. Payne.

Erected by United

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States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is December 11, 1764.

Location. 38° 18.461′ N, 77° 27.649′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It is on Sophia Street near Hawke Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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 are within walking distance of this marker: Pontoon Bridge Site (here, next to this marker); 7th Michigan Volunteer Infantry (here, next

Pontoon Site Land Donation Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., February 2, 2008

2. Pontoon Site Land Donation Marker

to this marker); 1856 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1883 (about 300 feet away); 1868 (about 400 feet away); Rising Sun Tavern (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Rising Sun Tavern (about 400 feet away); Fire on Caroline Street (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fredericksburg Campaign, December 1862 (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Between the uprights of this marker can be seen two other markers across the Rappahannock River. This is link will display the links for those two markers.

Also see . . .
1. Entry for R.M.T. Hunter from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. During the Civil War, Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter served in the Confederate Senate from Virginia in the First and Second Congresses 1862-1865 and was President pro tempore on various occasions. (Submitted on February 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

2. Robert M. Payne Scholarship Fund at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Photographed by Kevin W., February 2, 2008

3. Fredericksburg Campaign Marker

Looking "between the uprights" of this marker, in the distance across the Rappahannock River, two markers at Chatham can be seen. See related markers for more information.

Established by the medical school Class of 1960 as a memorial to Robert Mercer Payne, a classmate who was killed in an accident prior to graduation. (Submitted on February 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,837 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 14, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.