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

Wilderness Campaign

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

1. Wilderness Campaign Marker

Inscription. May 6, 1864, Hancock's Federal soldiers opened the second day of battle about 5 a.m. Hill's Confederates were driven westward to this vicinity, the small clearing of the Widow Tapp Farm where Lee had his headquarters. As Col. William T. Poague's cannon staved off disaster, Longstreet's belated Corps came swinging up. Lee waved his hat and personally started to lead the countercharge of Longstreet's men, only to be restrained by the cry of "Go back, General Lee, go back!" Longstreet quickly saved the immediate situation. He later outflanked the Federals rolling their lines ("like a wet blanket," said Hancock) to the trenches along the Brock Road.

Erected by United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 1764.

Location. 38° 17.34′ N, 77° 43.617′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It can be reached from Orange Plank Road (County Route 621), on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the Wilderness Battlefield at Tour Stop 6. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11325 Orange Plank Rd, Locust Grove VA 22508, 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: In the Nick of Time (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct

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line); Lee-to-the-Rear (about 500 feet away); In The Nick of Time (about 500 feet away); The Home of Widow Tapp (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Widow Tapp House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lee to the rear! (approx. ¼ mile away); Brink of Victory (approx. ¼ mile away); Texas (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

Other markers no longer nearby. Crisis in the Wilderness (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Confederate Earthworks (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Wilderness Battlefield. National Park Service site. (Submitted on April 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Tour Stop Six - Widow Tapp Farm image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

2. Tour Stop Six - Widow Tapp Farm

Poague's Artillery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

3. Poague's Artillery

These two artillery pieces represent Poague's Battalion on the battlefield, and look across the fields of the Widow Tapp Farm.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,547 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 30, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.