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

Spotsylvania Campaign

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

1. Spotsylvania Campaign Marker

Inscription. May 12, 1864. About 4:30 a.m. Hancock's Federal II Corps, in one of the greatest surprise attacks of the War, struck Ewell's Confederate Corps entrenched here. Advancing in a solid rectangular mass, the Federal troops overwhelmed the defenders. The Confederates lost 20 cannon, upwards of 30 battle flags, several thousand small arms, and nearly all of Gen. Edward Johnson's Division of 3,500 men, including Johnson himself and Gen. George H. Steuart. The Confederate artillery, ordered back to this line after an ill-advised shift, had arrived just in time to be captured without firing. Hancock's mass formation, so successful here against infantry, might have withered under cannon fire.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1864.

Location. 38° 13.415′ N, 77° 35.781′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Gordon Drive, on the left when traveling north. Located on the East Face of the Salient trail at tour stop six (East Face) on the driving tour of Spotsylvania Battlefield unit of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Touch for map

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. Marker is in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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); The Confederate Line (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dawn Assault (about 500 feet away); Fatal Mistake at the East Angle (about 500 feet away); "The Toughest Fight Yet" (about 800 feet away); Struggle for the Bloody Angle (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Confederate Earthworks (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Mass Capture (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Also see . . . East Face of Salient. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on August 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Two Campaign Markers at the East Angle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

2. Two Campaign Markers at the East Angle

The Struggle for the Salient image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

3. The Struggle for the Salient

Nearby a sign displays a reprint of a newspaper sketch - Army of the Potomac - The struggle for the salient, near Spotsylvania, Virginia May 12, 1864.

The East Angle image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 6, 2008

4. The East Angle

Looking from the trail path, from the direction of the Federal attack, toward the earthworks of the East Angle. The Confederate defenders had arranged the initial trenches at night, conforming to the existing woodlines. The resultant line formed a bulge of sorts, which offered many blind spots and was vulnerable to Federal attack. However, once the line was laid, Confederate commanders were reluctant to give up the ground, particularly high ground around the McCoull house.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,275 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.