Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Race for Spotsylvania Court House
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
On the 8th of May we had the hardest march of the war….as we neared Spottsylvania the rattling of musketry told us too plainly our day’s trials were not over….
Sergeant James M. Thompson
6th Alabama Infantry
After two days of vicious fighting in the Wilderness, the armies trudged south toward Spotsylvania Court House. The Union army marched along the Brock Road, in front of you; the Confederates used a series of paths and country roads farther to the west. For both sides it was a miserable march. Deprived of sleep, sweat-soaked soldiers stumbled over narrow, dusty roads. In many places the woods beside the road caught fire, filling the air with suffocating smoke.
Morning brought no relief. As Union soldiers approached Spotsylvania Court House, they learned that Confederate forces held the ridge one-quarter mile ahead of you, blocking their way. The Federals repeatedly attacked the position but could not drive the Confederates from it. What had started as a race to Spotsylvania ended in a two-week struggle for the village.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.
Location. 38° 13.075′ N, 77° 36.872′ W. Marker is in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Grant Drive and Brock Road, on the right when traveling south on Grant Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8116 Brock Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Laurel Hill (here, next to this marker); The Death of Sedgwick (a few steps from this marker); Sedgwick (a few steps from this marker); Laurel Hill Trail (a few steps from this marker); Spotsylvania Campaign (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Death of Sedgwick (within shouting distance of this marker); A Different Kind of War (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on June 24, 2013.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 580 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.