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

23rd USCT At the Alrich Farm

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 26, 2014

1. 23rd USCT At the Alrich Farm Marker

Inscription. The first combat in the Civil War between United States Colored Troops and Confederates north of the James River occurred near here. On 15 May 1864, Confederate Brig. Gen. Thomas Rosser pushed forward a cavalry detachment along Catharpin Road to determine the position of the Union army. His men encountered—and pushed back—the 2nd Ohio Cavalry. To support the cavalry, the nearby 23rd United States Colored Infantry hurried forward to the intersection of Catharpin Road and Orange Plank Road. After skirmishing with the Confederates, the 23rd charged and caused Rosser to withdraw.

Erected 2013 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number EM-3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 15, 1864.

Location. 38° 16.948′ N, 77° 37.272′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It is at the intersection of Catharpin Road (County Route 612) and Sawhill Boulevard (Local Route 2085), on the right when traveling south on Catharpin Road. It is just south of Old Plank Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11701 Sawhill Blvd, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Shots of Freedom (approx. half a mile away); U.S. Colored Troops (approx. half a mile away); Heroics of Sgt. Benjamin Brown (approx. half a mile away); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.9 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bivouac (approx. 0.9 miles away); These Cedars (approx. 0.9 miles away); A Bold Plan (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Wilderness and the Overland Campaign (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed); U. S. Colored Troops in Spotsylvania (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Sergeant Benjamin Brown (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Orange Plank Road mentioned on the marker is present-day Old Plank Road, County Route 610.

Also see . . . In Our Midst: First Combat of the USCTs in Northern Virginia. Narrative of the engagement at the Alrich Farm. With map. (Submitted on July 27, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 26, 2014

2. 23rd USCT At the Alrich Farm Marker

23rd USCT At the Alrich Farm Marker Dedication Ceremony image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kirk Heflin, May 17, 2014

3. 23rd USCT At the Alrich Farm Marker Dedication Ceremony

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,556 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on May 24, 2016, by Kirk Heflin of Spotsylvania, Virginia.