Near Fredericksburg in Stafford County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Union Army Ninth Corps
In the winter of 1862-1863, following the Battle of Fredericksburg, Colonel Edward Harland’s Union brigade camped on this site. Six infantry regiments comprised the brigade: the 4th Rhode Island and the 8th, 11th, 15th, 16th and 21st Connecticut. The brigade had been held in reserve at Fredericksburg and took just 40 casualties there, many from Union artillery shells that exploded prematurely overhead. It suffered far greater losses here from the hardships of camp’s exposure and disease.
“Little Whim”, the Wallace’s house, served as General Burn’s headquarters, and was located adjacent to Colonel Harland’s encampments. The small valley east of the house became known to locals as Burnside’s Bottom, and later as Lipstick Valley. Much of Rt. 218 was a corduroy road, constructed of logs laid next to each other, 6” of brush laid on that and then topped with 6” of dirt. The railroad track used to be on what is now Cool Springs Road where the Falmouth Station was located, President Lincoln’s arrival point in April 1863. Between Nov. 1862 and May 1863, 100,000 to 130,000 Federal troops camped in wooden huts in Stafford after the Union defeat at Fredericksburg.
Erected 2006 by Malone Schooler Company.
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: #16 Abraham Lincoln series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1863.
Location. 38° 18.657′ N, 77° 25.619′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. Marker is at the intersection of White Oak Road (Virginia Route 218) and Little Whim Road (County Route 669), on the right when traveling east on White Oak Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 340 White Oak Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22405, 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. Gen. Hooker's Headquarters (approx. 0.6 miles away); Civil War Observation Balloon Site (approx. 0.8 miles away); Falmouth Railroad Station (approx. one mile away); Fredericksburg (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lincoln Review (approx. 1.4 miles away); Chatham (approx. 1.4 miles away); Creek Delegation in Fredericksburg (approx. 1.4 miles away); George Washington’s Childhood Home (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.
Also see . . . Stafford Civil War Park. Site of 1863 winter encampments and fortifications of the Union Army’s 11th Corps. (Submitted on July 3, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 783 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on February 7, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 3, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.