Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Confederate Artillery

The Battle of Fredericksburg

— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —

Confederate Artillery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

1. Confederate Artillery Marker

Inscription. Artillery was an effective weapon, particularly when used in defensive combat. Nowhere was that demonstrated more clearly than here on Marye's Heights, where nine guns of the Washington Artillery shattered the ranks of the oncoming Union army. "The shells fell thick and fast, exploding with deafening roar right in our midst. Shattered, torn and bleeding, our column still pushed on," wrote one Union soldier.

Toward sunset the Washington Artillery's ammunition ran low and the battalion retired to safety. Colonel Edward Porter Alexander's reserve artillery galloped up from the rear to take its place. Mistaking the Washington Artillery's withdrawal for a general Confederate retreat, Union forces again pressed toward the heights, only to be greeted by the blasts of Alexander's fresh guns. The Union battle lines dissolved in the growing darkness.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 38° 17.678′ N, 77° 28.108′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It can be reached from Sunken Road 0.1 miles north of Lafayette Boulevard (Virginia Highway 1), on the right when traveling south. Located on the

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Marye's Heights walking trail, which starts at the Fredericksburg battlefield visitor center. The Sunken Road is closed to vehicle traffic. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Field of Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Union Attacks Begin (within shouting distance of this marker); Battered Buildings on Willis Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunken Road Walking Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederates on the Heights (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas R. R. Cobb (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Willis Hill Buildings (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Confederates on the Ridge (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a drawing where The Washington Artillery fires on Union troops from Marye's Heights. Note the spires of Fredericksburg in the distance.

Map of Artillery Positions image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

2. Map of Artillery Positions

Note the north seeking arrow pointing to the left of the map.

On the upper right is a map illustrating the artillery positions during the battle.

Also see . . . Marye's Heights Virtual Tour. National Park Service page. (Submitted on July 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Confederate Artillery and Willis Hill Building Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

3. Confederate Artillery and Willis Hill Building Markers

Photographed by Brandon Fletcher, July 19, 2008

4. Confederate Artillery Marker

Marker can be seen in the distance

Confederate Artillery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

5. Confederate Artillery

Two cannon mark the location held by the Washington Artillery, and later Alexander's Battalion. These examples are nearly identical cast iron 3-inch rifled guns cast by Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, Virginia, in 1861.

Confederate 3-Inch Rifle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

6. Confederate 3-Inch Rifle

Note the pronounced swell at the muzzle of this weapon. Otherwise the profile of this cannon is similar to the Federal 3-inch Ordnance Rifle. The form is rather smooth with no apparent right angles other than where the trunnions join the rimbases. Tredegar cast between 60 and 90 of these during the war.

Markings on the Cannon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

7. Markings on the Cannon

"J.R.A & Co" stands for Joseph Reid Anderson and Company. Anderson was the wartime proprietor of the works. "T.F." indicates Tredegar Foundry, in Richmond, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,408 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.