Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Willis Hill Buildings
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008
1. The Willis Hill Buildings Marker
In December 1862 Confederate artillery on this hill rained shot and shell on attacking Union soldiers advancing out of Fredericksburg. Next to the guns was a small brick building, one of three that then occupied this part of the heights. "The little brick house, which was white at the beginning of the battle, was perfectly red with bullet-marks at its close," wrote one Confederate. "There was an odd cooking-stove in front of the house. The balls striking it kept up a perpetual 'bing, bing,' equalling the varied notes of a hand-organ."
This 1864 photograph, taken from about this spot, shows the Willis Hill buildings in ruins - wrecked by Union artillery during the fighting here. Confederate earthworks, now gone, creased the heights.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1862.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 17.677′ N, 77° 28.107′ W. Marker was in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker was on Sunken Road, 0.1 miles north of Lafayette Boulevard (Virginia Highway 1), on the right when traveling south.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Confederate Artillery (here, next to this marker); Field of Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Battered Buildings on Willis Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); The Union Attacks Begin (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); Fredericksburg Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Line (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. The background of the marker is the photograph referenced in the text, showing the buildings as they appeared in 1864.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced by the linked marker.
Also see . . . Marye's Heights Virtual Tour. National Park Service page. (Submitted on July 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain
2. Confederate Artillery and Willis Hill Building Markers
Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 19, 2008
3. The Willis Hill Buildings Marker
Marker in the distance
Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,742 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
