Ashland in Hanover County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Ashland
The War Years
—Lee vs. Grant — The 1864 Campaign —
By J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008
1. Ashland Marker
In the summer of 1861, hundreds of volunteers from across Virginia camped at the racecourse where they received their first military instruction During 1862, homes and churches filled with battle casualties; more than 400 soldiers died in these makeshift hospitals. Union raiders frequently ripped up railroad track and burned nearby bridges.
In May 1863, the funeral train carrying Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s body stopped here on its way to Richmond. A year later, part of Lee’s weary army marched southward along these tracks. One veteran recalled that they “marched in such deep silence that a man with his eyes shut would only have known that anyone was on the road by the occasional rattle of a canteen.” Places like the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and North Anna lay behind them. Totopotomoy Creek, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and ten more months of war lay ahead.
Erected by Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location.
By J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008
2. Detail of Marker
“The situation May 27-30, 1864. On May 26, 1864, Grant decided bypass the formidable Confederate position on the North Anna by sliding to his left, trying to get between Lee’s army and Richmond. Lee’s army marching hard in response, passed through Ashland and met Grant on the Totopotomoy Creek, twelve miles from here.”
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Railroad Company Sees Potential For A Town Among The Slash Pines (within shouting distance of this marker); Randolph-Macon College (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Downtown Business Growth Fuels Ashland Expansion (about 600 feet away); Town Of Ashland Historic District (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Ashland (approx. half a mile away); Henry at Hanover Courthouse (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Randolph-Macon College (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Randolph-Macon College (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ashland.
More about this marker. On the upper left is “a prewar view la the mineral springs resort at Ashland, which includes a hotel, ballroom and collages. The resort would be used first by Confederate officers, then by civilian refugees, and finally as a makeshift hospital.”
By J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008
3. Ashland Marker
Even if the Visitor’s center is closed, this is a great spot to take a break and watch the trains roll by. There are benches and a picnic table under these two trees shading the north side of the Amtrak station.
Additional keywords. Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P)
Categories. • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil •
By J. J. Prats, June 4, 2008
4. Ashland Station and Marker
The Henry Clay Inn Bed & Breakfast can be glimpsed on the far right of this photograph across Center Street from the station.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on June 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,056 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 7, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Springfield, Virginia.
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