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

Elisha Franklin Paxton

The Battle of Chancellorsville

Photographed By Shane Oliver, October 7, 2017

1. Elisha Franklin Paxton Marker

Inscription. The monument across the road marks where General Elisha Franklin Paxton, commander of the famed Stonewall Brigade, fell on May 3, 1863. Before the war, Frank Paxton had practiced law in "Stonewall" Jackson's hometown of Lexington, Virginia. When, in 1863, Jackson needed a man to command the Stonewall Brigade, he chose Paxton over several more qualified candidates.

Before the battle, Paxton foreshadowed his own death in a letter to his wife.

"The future...is dark enough. Though sound in health and strength, I feel that life to many of us hangs upon a slender thread. Whenever God wills it that mine pass from me, I feel that I can say in calm resignation, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' ...And now, darling, good-bye."

(caption)
Paxton is buried in Lexington, just a few yards from his neighbor and friend "Stonewall" Jackson

Erected by Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1863.

Location. 38° 18.541′ N, 77° 39.098′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Stuart Drive, 0.1 miles south of Plank Road (Virginia Route 3), on

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the left when traveling south. Marker is located at Auto Tour Stop 9 on the Chancellorsville Battlefield Driving Tour. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Wilderness Ct, 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. Brig. Gen. E. F. Paxton, C.S.A. (within shouting distance of this marker); Chancellorsville Campaign (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Night-time Horror (about 600 feet away); Bloody Morning (about 700 feet away); Jackson (about 700 feet away); Jackson Monuments (about 800 feet away); Memorializing Jackson's Death (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on January 8, 2018.)

Grave of Elisha Paxton image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 15, 2017

2. Grave of Elisha Paxton

Located at Oak Grove Cemetery, Lexington, Virginia.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 308 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on September 3, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on January 30, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

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