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

Warren's Line

The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House

By Craig Swain, March 16, 2014

1. Warren's Line Marker

The illustration on the marker is captioned, This engraving from Harper's Weekly shows Union artillerists in action against Spotsylvania Court House.

Inscription. Following its failure to take Laurel Hill on May 8, 1864, General Gouverneur K. Warren's Fifth Corps entrenched here. This crescent-shape work protected two Union cannons. Warren's line extended from the Po River, one mile to your right, to the Brock Road, a short distance to your left. The Confederates held a strong position on the opposite edge of the field, one-quarter mile ahead of you.

Warren again attacked the Confederate line unsuccessfully on May 10 and on May 12. With each repulse, casualties mounted and enthusiasm waned. "It is not a matter of surprise that they had lost all spirit for that kind of work," explained one Union officer, "as their previous experience had taught them that to [attack] was certain death on that front." Stymied at Laurel Hill, Grant turned his attention to the Muleshoe Salient, one mile to your left. There, Union arms enjoyed greater success.

Erected by Fredericksburg-Spotsylvania National Military Park - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.

Location. 38° 12.94′ N, 77° 37.126′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Hancock Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is located west of

By Craig Swain, March 16, 2014

2. Warren's Line Marker

the Spotsylvania Exhibit Shelter, along the Laurel Hill trail. Marker is in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spindle House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Spotsylvania Campaign (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Spindle House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Laurel Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); The Race for Spotsylvania Court House (approx. ¼ mile away); Sedgwick (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Death of Sedgwick (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania.

Categories. • War, US Civil •

Portion of the artillery earthworks in front of the marker image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, March 16, 2014

3. Portion of the artillery earthworks in front of the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on April 7, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 7, 2014, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.