Culpeper Court House

1863–64 Winter Encampment

— Lee vs. Grant – The 1864 Campaign —

Culpeper Court House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008

1. Culpeper Court House Marker

Inscription.
During the winter of 1863-64, Federal officers quartered in many of Culpeper’s homes. The surrounding landscape was dotted with tents and huts for ten square miles as nearly 100,000 soldiers encamped. Gen. U.S. Grant, commander of all Federal armies, is said to have taken a daily walk to purchase cigars at a pharmacy located in what had been the boyhood home of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill. Before dawn on May 4, 1864, the Federal soldiers broke camp and marched for Germanna Ford, 10 miles ahead of you. This marked the last time substantial military activity occurred in the Town of Culpeper. The troops had embarked upon the last grand campaign of the war. Ironically, it was also the first campaign between the war’s premier generals: the battles of Lee vs. Grant were soon to get underway with the first confrontation at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 5-6.

Erected by Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1889.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 28.35′

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N, 77° 59.583′ W. Marker was in Culpeper, Virginia, in Culpeper County. It was at the intersection of South Commerce Street and East Davis Street, on the left when traveling south on South Commerce Street. The marker was at the foot of Davis Street, at the Amtrak station. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Culpeper VA 22701, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: A Tribute to Black Americans – Early 1900’s (within shouting distance of this marker); Eppa Rixey Boyhood Home (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans Memorial (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); South East Street Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); A National Cemetery System (approx. 0.2 miles away); 28th Regiment New York State Volunteer Infantry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pennsylvania (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Culpeper.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Culpeper Court House (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Detail of Map on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 19, 2008

2. Detail of Map on Marker

Culpeper Court House Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008

3. Culpeper Court House Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,071 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 19, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.