Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Warren's Line
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2014
1. Warren's Line Marker
The illustration on the marker is captioned, This engraving from Harper's Weekly shows Union artillerists in action against Spotsylvania Court House.
Following its failure to take Laurel Hill on May 8, 1864, General Gouverneur K. Warren's Fifth Corps entrenched here. This crescent-shape work protected two Union cannons. Warren's line extended from the Po River, one mile to your right, to the Brock Road, a short distance to your left. The Confederates held a strong position on the opposite edge of the field, one-quarter mile ahead of you.Warren again attacked the Confederate line unsuccessfully on May 10 and on May 12. With each repulse, casualties mounted and enthusiasm waned. "It is not a matter of surprise that they had lost all spirit for that kind of work," explained one Union officer, "as their previous experience had taught them that to [attack] was certain death on that front." Stymied at Laurel Hill, Grant turned his attention to the Muleshoe Salient, one mile to your left. There, Union arms enjoyed greater success.
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 1850.
Location. 38° 12.94′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spindle House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spotsylvania Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Spindle House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Laurel Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); The Race for Spotsylvania Court House (approx. ¼ mile away); The Death of Sedgwick (approx. 0.3 miles away); Sedgwick (approx. 0.3 miles away); Laurel Hill Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2014
2. Warren's Line Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, March 16, 2014
3. Portion of the artillery earthworks in front of the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 548 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 7, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
