Spotsylvania Battlefields

Spotsylvania Battlefields Spotsylvania Battlefields grew from local preservation efforts and continues to support work to save and spotlight the battlefields in this county.

Four major Civil War battles and campaigns happened in Virginia’s Spotsylvania County: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House. We are passionate about our local Civil War history and love to share interesting facts about the current preservation and historical facts.

The Chancellorsville Campaign’s fighting did not conclude on May 3, 1863. Combat continued the next few days as the Army...
05/29/2026

The Chancellorsville Campaign’s fighting did not conclude on May 3, 1863. Combat continued the next few days as the Army of the Potomac fought withdrawals to get across the Rappahannock River at U.S. Ford and Banks’ Ford.

Capt. Hiram Seymour Hall, who served on Brig. Gen. Joseph J. Bartlett’s staff, remembered the fierce Federal defense on May 4 by Capt. William McCartney’s Massachusetts Battery that evening: “McCartney formed his guns . . . sent home the case-shot, and as the contest warmed his blood, raised in his stirrups, [and] shouted to his eager men: ‘Aim, right section to the right oblique, left section to the left oblique, fire! and shell the whole ______ country.’ The men blackened by powder smoke, worked like demons, the guns belched forth a flood of fiery death, and the hill seemed to rock under the terrific thunder of the battery; great gaps were opened in the enemy’s lines by the tornado of shot and shell; they retired into the friendly shelter of the woods, and night, darkness, and silence drew a curtain of mercy over the fearful scene.”

Image of Hall courtesy of the Library of Congress.

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A major problem with the Union and Confederate armies being in such close proximity following the Battle of Fredericksbu...
05/28/2026

A major problem with the Union and Confederate armies being in such close proximity following the Battle of Fredericksburg, was the difficulty of masking major movements. On January 20, the day the “Mud March” officially began, a Confederate soldier under the pseudonym Tivoli, who probably served in Gen. James Longstreet’s Corps, wrote to the Atlanta Southern Confederacy newspaper from his “camp near Fredericksburg. He had already observed things that he believed heralded a movement by the Federals.

Tivoli wrote that, “For the past three days great activity has been noticed in the enemy across the [Rappahannock] river, and at a point ten miles below this, on the river. . . .” He saw that, “Their pickets have also been strengthened, and mounted blue coats riding hastily up and down, betokens that ‘bustle’ had become the order of the day with them. For what purpose these things are done, remains to be seen.” Tivoli used recent history to make a guess: “Judging by the past tardy action of the enemy, we will have a breathing time of several days ere we are called upon to hold bloody argument with them.”

Tivoli was correct, a movement was afoot, but Mother Nature had other ideas.

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

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On May 1, 1863, Maj. Gen. Henry Slocum’s XII Corps ran into elements of Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson’s Confederate divi...
05/27/2026

On May 1, 1863, Maj. Gen. Henry Slocum’s XII Corps ran into elements of Maj. Gen. Richard H. Anderson’s Confederate division in fighting that occurred at the Alrich Farm in Spotsylvania County. Among the wounded that day was Corp. John C. Ellis of the 111th Pennsylvania Infantry. In a letter to his nephew three weeks later, Corp. Ellis explained, “the order was given to fall back to Chancellorsville on double quick and our Regt was to cover the retreat of the balance of [Gen. Thomas Kane’s] brigade[.] [T]he other Regt[s] were so slow in moving[,] the Rebs [were] upon us before we knew it[,] so that by the time that we got to the Plank Rd the Reb Sharpshooters began to pick off our men[.] the Bullets flew like hail arond our heads[.]”

One of the bullets found Ellis. “[T]he first thing I knew I was laying on my back in the ditch along side the Road,” he wrote. “[I was] struck by a bullet on the left side of the back of my neck coming out at the corner of my left eye making a verry dangerous wound[.] [W]hen I fell I was completely Paralized and Blind although I never lost my senses for a single moment[.] Ellis was believed dead, “and the Rebs were right at [our] heels so that if [my comrades] wanted to they could not have [stopped and] picked me up.”

One of Ellis’s fellow 111th Pennsylvania comrades, Pvt. James T. Miller, wrote home that “the reble sharpshooters opened on our column and kiled some two or three of our regt. . . .” More, like Ellis, were wounded. Corp. Ellis remained on the battlefield until captured by the advancing Confederates. Taken to a farmhouse, perhaps the Alrich House, he received treatment for four days until he was sent to a crowded Federal field hospital, where he was exposed to the elements for an additional three days. “[H]ow in the world I survived through it is more than I can tell[.] It was 15 days from the time I was shot untill I rejoined the Regiment again,” he explained.

CVBT’s current campaign seeks to raise $100,000 to save the initial parcel of what was the historic Alrich Farm and the site of two battles; the one described above and another on May 15, 1864, where the 23rd USCT skirmished with Confederate cavalry. To donate to this preservation effort, please visit: https://bit.ly/4nuW0FI


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In his memoir recounting his service in the 24th New Jersey, Benjamin Borton retold the story of his comrade Pvt. Martin...
05/26/2026

In his memoir recounting his service in the 24th New Jersey, Benjamin Borton retold the story of his comrade Pvt. Martin V. Haines, who at the Battle of Fredericksburg, “was struck in two places soon after the regiment opened fire.” Borton noted that Haines’ told him his wounds “were so severe he could not retire, nor could anyone help him away.” Haines, “wounded in the breast and side, the wounds bleeding, chilled to the bone and expecting a bullet to enter my head at any moment” lay on the battlefield throughout the fight below Maryes Heights. The bullets from the Confederates’ Sunken Road volleys “struck all around me, some even scathing my body. . . .” Haines explained. “Some of the shells would burst high in the air, others strike the soft earth, throwing up clouds of mud and perhaps portions of a mangled body.”

Near Haines laid “two comrades. One of whom was shot in the stomach. I shall never forget his cries,” Haines recalled. The man begged to be “put out of his misery.” The other soldier, their cook, “was shot through the legs and other parts of the body, and in his extreme agony, would rub his hands on his face, smearing it all over with blood while calling piteously for help.” When darkness finally fell, Pvt. Haines explained “helping hands lifted me . . . to take me off the field. . . .” The two wounded comrades were not as fortunate.


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Fortunately, most of us will never have to endure combat, but we still need reminders. Places like militiary cemeteries ...
05/25/2026

Fortunately, most of us will never have to endure combat, but we still need reminders. Places like militiary cemeteries and battlefields help prevent us from taking for granted the liberties we enjoy today. Understanding our nation’s history, recognizing the importance of preserving the things and places of our country’s shared past, and appreciating the determination, effort, commitment, and sacrifice that has been required for our freedom is part of good citizenship.

Many years after the Civil War, Union Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain commented that, “In great deeds, something abides. On great fields something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear, but spirits linger, to consecrate the ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream. . . .” It is, in part, because of our war dead that we, today, have opportunities that previous generations could only imagine. It is only proper that we should take at least some time out of our busy lives to remember and honor those lost in our military conflicts.


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On this day in 1863, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 143, which created the Bureau of United States Co...
05/22/2026

On this day in 1863, the U.S. War Department issued General Orders No. 143, which created the Bureau of United States Colored Troops (USCT). Article VI stated: “Colored troops may be accepted by companies, to be afterwards consolidated in battalions and regiments by the Adjutant General. The regiments will be numbered . . . in the order in which they are raised, the numbers to be determined by the Adjutant General.”

By the end of the war over 150 USCT regiments of infantry, cavalry, and light and heavy artillery served in Federal armies. While most regiments received USCT designations, a few like the 54th Massachusetts and the 29th Connecticut kept their state affiliations.

Despite limited opportunities for promotion beyond the non-commissioned officer level, USCT soldiers proved their mettle in battle time and time again at places like New Market Heights, Petersburg, Battery Wagner, Port Hudson, Milliken’s Bend, and Fort Fisher. Seventeen African American soldiers who served in USCT regiments received the Medal of Honor for courageous actions during the conflict.

In Spotsylvania County, the 23rd USCI had its first experience under fire on May 15, 1864, when it pushed back a Confederate cavalry probe along Catharpin Road, while helping guard a Federal wagon train. You can help CVBT save this land by donating at: https://bit.ly/4nuW0FI


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On this date in 1864, after almost two weeks of fighting around Spotsylvania Court House, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the ...
05/21/2026

On this date in 1864, after almost two weeks of fighting around Spotsylvania Court House, Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Potomac were on the move around the right flank of Gen. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock’s II Corps led the way, quickly followed by the other commands, some following Hancock’s route, others taking different roads.

While maneuvering the army south in effort to pull Lee’s forces out of their strongly fortified Spotsylvania positions, Grant, Meade, and a number of other commanders and staff stopped briefly at Massaponax Baptist Church on May 21, 1864. Photographer Timothy O’Sullivan captured several famous images while with the army at Massaponax Church.

Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate soldiers were on the move, too. Traveling by way of the Telegraph Road, and parallel roads to the west, Lee arrived at a defensive position on the south side of the North Anna River, site of the next clash in an already grueling campaign.

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

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Maj. Campbell Brown, a staff officer and stepson to Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, wrote to his mother Lizinka o...
05/20/2026

Maj. Campbell Brown, a staff officer and stepson to Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, wrote to his mother Lizinka on May 20, 1864, explaining Ewell’s safety after the difficult fighting two days before at Harris Farm.

In the letter Brown explained, “Gen. Ewell had his horse shot under him, but was not touched himself.” The major wanted his mother to know this “because you are likely to hear exaggerated stories—perhaps of his being wounded.” As a dutiful son he tried to reassure her that “Of the Gen’l’s death there is not much danger, for really the Gen’l is conscientious about it & does not expose himself more than required.”

Maj. Brown was captured at Sailors Creek on April 6, 1865. He lived until 1893, when he committed su***de at age 52.

Image courtesy of Find A Grave.

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Bugler Charles Wellington Reed of the 9th Mass. Light Artillery wrote in his diary on May 19, 1864, about actions around...
05/19/2026

Bugler Charles Wellington Reed of the 9th Mass. Light Artillery wrote in his diary on May 19, 1864, about actions around Spotsylvania. In doing so he made mention of the fighting at Harris Farm, where CVBT holds preserved battlefield land.

“In position on the skirmish line two lines of battle to our rear sixth and part of 2nd corps with reinforcements massing on left 10 quiet tried the parrots on a group of the enemy, good shots just before dark Ewel (reb) assaulted our right with great vigor but were repulsed hansomly the first Mass heavy artilery behaving finely and receiving the congratulations of Gen. Meade for their brave conduct it being their first experience under fire the sharpshooters amused themselves by firing on us amusing to us as them”

To help us save and interpret more land like at Harris Farm, please consider becoming a CVBT member: https://bit.ly/3Yi3zFm


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On May 18, 1864, the Army of the Potomac made another attempt to assault the Confederate line at Spotsylvania. Much of t...
05/18/2026

On May 18, 1864, the Army of the Potomac made another attempt to assault the Confederate line at Spotsylvania. Much of the attack crossed the same ground as the fighting on May 12 and involved the same Corps. Due to the Army of Northern Virginia’s new heavily fortified line and significant artillery support, the attack failed.

Among the Sixth Corps soldiers who fell in the assault was Capt. Henry Warren of the 7th Maine Infantry. Three days later, Lt. Col. Thomas Hyde of the 7th wrote to J. P. Shaw attempting to provide some information about Capt. Henry Warren’s death. Hyde opened the letter in a matter-of-fact manner by explaining, “None of the officers saw Capt. Warren fall. The men say that he was ‘blown all to pieces’ by a ten pound shell. . . . His body was left on the field as were all those that fell and it is very doubtful that it was ever buried.”

Hyde then turned a bit more sympathetic in tone, noting, “This is terrible intelligence to communicate, but let me add that never a braver, better man than Henry Warren drew sword in our cause. Already suffering from a wound in the arm, much more severe than had caused many to seek the hospital, he would not leave his Colors, but fell in the most exposed post of danger. His gallantry had been especially conspicuous in the battles of the Wilderness [and Spotsylvania]—everyone rewarded it.” Hyde closed by offering “deep sympathy for yourself and all his family.”

Image of Capt. Warren courtesy of Digital Maine Repository.

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