Near Locust Grove in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Culpeper Mine Road

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

1. The Culpeper Mine Road Marker

Inscription. The road trace in front of you is the Culpeper Mine Road, typical of the woods trails that composed the primitive transportation network in the Wilderness. Even a path like this possessed military significance, and Confederate troops from the famous Stonewall Brigade guarded the road near this point. The Union army resumed its attacks against this portion of the Rebel line about 3:00 p.m. May 5. "It was impossible to see the enemy," remembered a New Jersey chaplain, "and though we peered through the thick woods, we were fighting invisible foemen." None of these assaults achieved success, and the battle again evolved into the roar of static, but constant musketry.

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° 19.187′ N, 77° 45.706′ W. Marker is near Locust Grove, Virginia, in Orange County. Marker can be reached from Constitution Highway (State Highway 20), on the right when traveling west. The marker is in Wilderness Battlefield at stop 3 of the Gordon Flank Attack trail, near Driving Tour Stop Two (the Exhibit Shelter). 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. The Confederate Defense (approx. ¼ mile away); Morning of May 6 (approx. ¼ mile away); 140th New York State Vols.

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of the Wilderness (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Confederate Line (approx. 0.3 miles away); “A Wild, Wicked Roar” (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Blood in Saunders Field (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gordon Flank Attack Trail (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Locust Grove.

More about this marker. The upper half of the marker displays a battle map indicating positions of the forces engaged and the important roads.

Also see . . . Gordon Flank Attack Trail. National Park Service page detailing the Gordon Flank Attack Trail. (Submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Gordon Flank Attack Trail - Stop 3 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

2. Gordon Flank Attack Trail - Stop 3

Culpeper Mine Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

3. Culpeper Mine Road

In places the road is now little more than a path through the woods.

Photographed By Craig Swain, February 16, 2008

4. Culpeper Mine Road

Further to the east, the old road bed has been widened and is frequently used for access to the trail.

The Culpeper Mine Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen

5. The Culpeper Mine Road

Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,686 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 5, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.