Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Todd’s Tavern
Union Army Headquarters
— Lee vs. Grant - The 1864 Campaign —
Grant and Meade left Todd’s Tavern on the morning of May 8, and moved up the Catharpin Road (behind you) to Piney Branch Church. Union Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock occupied the tavern for the rest of the day. At one point Gen. Jubal Early’s Confederates threatened to attack Hancock’s line, but when Early saw the Union earthworks he wisely broke off contact with the Federals and headed to Spotsylvania by another route. Thus, wrote Hancock’s adjutant, “The great battle of Todd’s Tavern was never fought.”
“Taking up our march...we change our direction to south-westerly, arriving towards noon at Todd’s Tavern, an unpretentious structure one story and a half in height, with no merits, architectural or otherwise, to warrant its becoming a conspicuous landmark in the history of this campaign. Here a halt had been ordered. Batteries were parked in luxuriant fields.... The infantry, having stacked arms, were stretched upon the ground; and, in short, all—generals and soldiers alike—lay carelessly about in the shade.... But suddenly all is activity.... General [Hancock] issues from the Tavern, leaps quickly into his saddle...and in a brief space of time the corps is in line again and moving promptly....” —John D. Billings, 10th Massachusetts Light Artillery.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant, and the Virginia Civil War Trails series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is May 8, 1864.
Location. 38° 14.849′ N, 77° 40.119′ W. Marker is in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Brock Road (County Route 613) and Catharpin Road (County Route 612), on the right when traveling south on Brock Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9626 Brock Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Todd’s Tavern (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Todd’s Tavern (here, next to this marker); Lafayette at Corbin’s Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Piney Branch School (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
More about this marker. The marker displays portraits of Jubal Early and Winfield Hancock. A painting on the right is captioned, "George L. Frankenstein, a native German who served in the Union army, painted Todd's Tavern shortly after the war."
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,580 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on February 17, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 16, 2020, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.