Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Hooker's Final Bastion
The Battle of Chancellorsville
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
1. Hooker's Final Bastion Marker
The low earthworks opposite are the apex of the final Union line at Chancellorsville. After suffering defeat in the massive fighting on May 3, Hooker's army started digging. The result: a powerful, U-shaped line six miles long supported by 100 cannons, and made of "logs, knapsacks, dead horses, limber-chests and whatever came to hand." For two days Federal troops quietly held these works.
Despite the strength of the Union line, and despite having just 35,000 men on hand for action, Lee decided to attack the Union position on May 6. But Hooker never gave him the chance. On the night of May 5, the Union commander relinquished the virtually impregnable position and led his army back across the Rappahannock. It was perhaps his greatest mistake of the campaign.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1864.
Location. 38° 19.029′ N, 77° 38.236′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is at the intersection of Elys Ford Road (County Route 610) and Bullock Road, on the right when traveling south on Elys Ford Road. Located at the Bullock House Site, stop two of the driving
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Union Lifeline (here, next to this marker); Lives Transformed (within shouting distance of this marker); Apex of Hooker’s Last Line (within shouting distance of this marker); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union Line Contained Along Mineral Springs Road (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stone's Reconnaissance (approx. 0.4 miles away); Union Counterattack (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Midnight Conference (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
More about this marker. The right side of the marker shows "Union guns stand ready to defend Hooker's final line in this war-time sketch." A map on the lower left illustrates the defensive line and the Confederate positions.
Regarding Hooker's Final Bastion. This is one of several markers for the Battle of Chancellorsville at the Bullock House Site, at the apex of Hooker's final line. See the Bullock House Site Virtual Tour by Markers in the links section for a listing of related markers on the tour.
Related markers. Click here
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
2. Map of the Final Federal Line
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Chancellorsville. National Park Service site. (Submitted on November 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Bullock House Site Virtual Tour by Markers. The Bullock House Site portion of the battlefield (stop two on the driving tour of the battlefield) includes markers at the intersection of Bullock and Ely's Ford Roads. The position marked the apex of Hooker's final line. (Submitted on December 8, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
3. Two Markers beside Ely's Ford Road
Across the road, behind the markers, are the remains of the apex of Hooker's line.
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007
4. The Apex of the Federal Lines
Earthworks extend on both angles of the northeast corner of the intersection.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,095 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 19, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
