Near Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Gordon's Flank Attack

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

1. Gordon's Flank Attack Marker

Inscription. The right flank of the Union line rested here in the early evening of May 6. Two Union brigades occupied this area with the benefit of neither strong works nor substantial artillery support. Suddenly, the Rebel yell echoed through the forest. North Carolinians and Virginians joined Gordon's men boiling through the thick woods to your right and front. Union General Alexander Shaler recalled that "the enemy moved against us in front, on the flank, and in the rear, completely enveloping us in fire." The Federals fell back in disarray, leaving Shaler and General Truman Seymour as prisoners of war. Would Gordon's attack lead to victory in the Wilderness?

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1935.

Location. 38° 19.578′ N, 77° 45.841′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Constitution Highway (State Highway 20), on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Wilderness Battlefield at stop 7 of the Gordon Flank Attack trail, near Driving Tour Stop Two (the Exhibit Shelter). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wilderness Battlefield Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gordon's Attack Falters (about 600

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feet away); Dedicated To The Fallen (about 600 feet away); From Wilderness Run To Flat Run (about 600 feet away); Fighting on the Evening of May 5, 1864 (about 800 feet away); John Gordon Proposes a Flank Attack (approx. 0.2 miles away); Morning of May 6 (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Federals Fall Back (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

Also see . . . Gordon Flank Attack Trail. National Park Service page detailing the Gordon Flank Attack Trail. (Submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Gordon Flank Attack Trail - Stop 7 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

2. Gordon Flank Attack Trail - Stop 7

Federal Trenches image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

3. Federal Trenches

Federal Trenches manned by the men of Wright's Division extended through this section of the battlefield. Later when the Federals were driven out, the Confederates converted these lines to face east as a secondary line of works.

Federal Lines and Gordon's Axis of Advance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

4. Federal Lines and Gordon's Axis of Advance

The trail parallels the Federal lines, on the left, and traces the general axis of advance used by Gordon's attack.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,051 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.