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

Chancellorsville Campaign

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007

1. Chancellorsville Campaign Marker

Inscription. Just ahead is the crossing of the Orange Plank Road, a mid-nineteenth century trade route from the mountains to the navigable Rappahannock at Fredericksburg. Loaded wagons had the right-of-way on the planking, which covered half the roadbed. Successor to the crushed-stone Orange Turnpike, the Plank was likewise a pay road with toll gates. It diverged from the route of the old Pike in places to afford better traction on easier grades. By the time of the Civil War, the growth of railroads had reduced Fredericksburg's western business.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil.

Location. 38° 17.7′ N, 77° 37.468′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of McLaws Drive and Old Plank Road, on the right when traveling south on McLaws Drive. This is marker is located just before Tour Stop 5 of the Driving tour of the Battle of Chancellorsville. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8400 Furnace Rd, 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. Bivouac (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign

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(within shouting distance of this marker); A Bold Plan (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Final Meeting, Fateful March (about 300 feet away); McLaws Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.7 miles away); Wounding of Jackson (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Day at Chancellorsville (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Regarding Chancellorsville Campaign. This is one of several markers for the Battle of Chancellorsville along McLaws Drive, Furnace Road, Sickles Drive, and East Jackson Trail, on the east side of the battlefield. See the McLaws's Line to Catharine Furnace Virtual Tour by Markers in the links section for a listing of related markers on the tour.

Also see . . . McLaws's Line to Catharine Furnace Virtual Tour by Markers. Spread across a two mile segment on the east side of the battlefield, this virtual tour by markers covers action from May 1-3, 1863. (Submitted on November 15, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Marker Alongside McLaws Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007

2. Marker Alongside McLaws Drive

Intersection with the Old Plank Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007

3. Intersection with the Old Plank Road

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,317 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 14, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.