Locust Grove in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Lee to the Rear!
The Battle of the Wilderness
The Texas Brigade formed a line in rear of the cannons and began to advance. To their dismay Lee rode forward too, determined to join them in the charge. The soldiers would have none of it. "Go back, General Lee! Go back! We won't go on unless you go back!" Lee hesitated, then tugged on the reins and turned his horse to the rear. The Texans charged onward, and in a few minutes the reinforcements reversed the tide of battle.
"His countenance, usually so placid and benign, was blazing with martial ardor. The lamb in his nature had given place to the lion, and his spirit seemed transfused through every one who looked upon him. It was impossible not to feel that every man that passed him was, for the time being, a hero." Colonel William F. Perry
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 6, 1864.
Location. 38° 17.483′ N, 77° 43.405′ W. Marker is in Locust Grove, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Orange Plank Road (County Route 621) half a mile west of Hill-Ewell Drive, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located along the ˝-mile Tapp Field Walking Trail - located at Stop 6 of the Wilderness Battlefield Auto Tour Route. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Locust Grove VA 22508, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Texas (within shouting distance of this marker); Lee to the rear! (within shouting distance of this marker); Brink of Victory (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Col. James D. Nance (about 700 feet away); The Home of Widow Tapp (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Widow Tapp House (approx. 0.2 miles away); In The Nick of Time (approx. 0.2 miles away); In the Nick of Time (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.
More about this marker. This marker replaced an older marker at this location titled "The Texans Attack"
Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on January 8, 2018.)
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 445 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on January 8, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photo 1. submitted on January 5, 2018, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.