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 | |
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 23, 2013
1. The Race for Spotsylvania Court House Marker
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 days 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.
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Location. 38° 13.075′ N, 77° 36.872′ W. Marker is in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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: Laurel Hill (here, next to this marker); The Death of Sedgwick
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, June 23, 2013
2. The Race for Spotsylvania Court House Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Spotsylvania Campaign (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
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 749 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
