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

Spotsylvania Campaign

By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

1. Spotsylvania Campaign Marker

Inscription. May 8, 1864. Here began the second delay on Grant's bloody road to Richmond. Having failed to crush Lee in the Wilderness, the Federals attempted to outflank the Confederates by way of Spotsylvania Court House. After a hard night's march, harassed by cavalry, the vanguard of Warren's V Corps reached this point about 8 a.m., only to meet a deadly musketry fire. Longstreet's Corps (now under Anderson) had won the "race" to Spotsylvania! Both sides dug in. Here on May 9 "Uncle John" Sedgwick, beloved leader of the VI Corps, was killed by a Confederate sharpshooter.

Erected by United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service.

Location. 38° 13.083′ N, 77° 36.861′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Grant Drive and Brock Road (County Route 613), on the right when traveling north on Grant Drive. Touch for map. Located at the west entrance to Spotsylvania Battlefield unit of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Marker is in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (here, next to this marker); Sedgwick

West Entrance to Spotsylvania Battlefield image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

2. West Entrance to Spotsylvania Battlefield

Two Department of the Interior markers, with an interpretive map, stand next to a painting depicting the death of Sedgwick.

(a few steps from this marker); The Race for Spotsylvania Court House (a few steps from this marker); Laurel Hill (a few steps from this marker); The Death of Sedgwick (a few steps from this marker); A Different Kind of War (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Testing the Line: May 8-10 (about 400 feet away); The Battle of Spotsylvania (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Happel Markers for the Spotsylvania Battlefield.

Categories. • War, US Civil •

Intersection of Brock Road and Grant Avenue image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

3. Intersection of Brock Road and Grant Avenue

Warren's Federal Corps arrived in this vicinity on May 8 only to see Confederates occupying Laurel Hill to the south.

Valuable Intersection image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

4. Valuable Intersection

Looking from a park trail along Block House Road to the north. The "Y" intersection in the distance is modern Block House Road and Brock Roads. At the time of the battle, this intersection allowed passage between two parallel routes into Spotsylvania Court House. By holding this intersection, Anderson's Corps prevented the Federals from turning around the Confederate flank and getting between Lee's army and Richmond.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 980 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.