Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Containing the Enemy, Reclaiming the Works
The Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —
The trenches in front of you belonged to General James H. Lane’s North Carolina brigade. Shortly after dawn, May 12, Union forces captured the East Angle, one-half mile behind you, and bore down on Lane’s men in this part of the Muleshoe Salient. Acting quickly, Lane curled back the left end of his line to meet the threat, checking the progress of the Union troops moving down the Salient’s eastern face.
Meanwhile General John B. Gordon was hastily forming his Confederate division at the Harrison house, just over one-quarter mile to your right. As soon as his troops were in line, Gordon ordered a charge. Sweeping through the woods behind you, his men drove back the disorganized Union attackers arid reclaimed the eastern side of the Salient. With this part of the Muleshoe secure, General Robert E. Lee could focus his efforts on retaking the Bloody Angle.
With the fury of a cyclone, and almost with its resistless power, [my division] rushed upon Hancock’s advancing column. With their first onset…his leading lines were shivered and hurled back....Hancock was repulsed and driven out.
General John Gordon, CSA
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 day of the year for for this entry is May 12.
Location. 38° 13.07′ N, 77° 35.762′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on Gordon Drive, 0.4 miles east of Anderson Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spotsylvania Campaign (here, next to this marker); Fighting for Time (approx. ¼ mile away); The McCoull House (approx. ¼ mile away); Mayhem in the Muleshoe (approx. ¼ mile away); A Mass Capture (approx. ¼ mile away); The Ninth Corps (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Campaign (approx. 0.3 miles away); McCoull Spring (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location also titled "Spotsylvania Campaign".
Also see . . . Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. National Park Service (Submitted on June 24, 2013.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 530 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 24, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 15, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.