Near Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lee's Command Post
The Battle of Fredericksburg
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Lee spent much of December 13, 1862, here, watching the fighting with General James Longstreet. When Lee expressed concern about the safety of Longstreet's men in the Sunken Road, his subordinate assured him that his men could repel the attackers, "Give me plenty of ammunition," Longstreet boasted, and "I will kill them all before they reach my line." Not a single Union soldier reached the Sunken Road that day.
It did me good to look upon General Lee and Longstreet during the progress of the battle and observe the complacent, cool and satisfied air yet intense interest which their countenances...manifested."
Sergeant William B. Pettit, Fluvanna Artillery, Confederate staff officer
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 1877.
Location. 38° 17.097′ N, 77° 28.57′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Lee Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is at the top of Lee's Hill, accessible from a parking pullout on Lee Drive, which is stop three of the driving tour of Fredericksburg Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Near Disaster (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Fredericksburg from Lee's Hill, December, 1862 (here, next to this marker); The Pioneers (a few steps from this marker); The Second Battle of Fredericksburg (a few steps from this marker); Artillery on Lee's Hill (a few steps from this marker); Lee's Hill, the commander's lookout (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Lee’s Hill (a few steps from this marker); Lee's Headquarters (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. Artist Frank Vizetelly sketched this scene from Lee's Hill for the Illustrated London News which fills the bottom of the marker.
Also see . . . Lee's Hill Virtual Tour. National Park Service page. (Submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

By Glenn Milton, circa March 2008
5. Fredericksburg Battlefield from Lee's Hill
View of Stafford Heights and Fredericksburg from Lee's Hill. At center may be seen the steeple of Saint George's Church on Princess Ann Street. From here Lee could view the entire battlefield. Nearly 150 years of growth has narrowed that view dramatically. Photo taken in late winter.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,477 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 5, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 22, 2010, by Glenn Milton of Kings Park, New York. 6. submitted on February 17, 2013, by David Graff of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 7. submitted on July 22, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee.