From this position (Belle Grove Mansion is west of here) most of the VI and XIX U.S. Corps camps were visible on 19 October 1864. The XIX Corps camped close to their earthworks along the ridge to the south. VI Corps units were placed along the ridges west of Belle Grove. The tents of Sheridan's headquarters covered the ground around Belle Grove while the army supply trains deployed in the fields adjacent to the Valley Pike. Colonel Howard Kitching's Provisional Division of the VIII U.S. Corps was in the fields immediately to the east. Colonels Rutherford B. Hayes's and Joseph Thoburn's Divisions were camped southeast of Kitching. Elements of Confederate General Stephen D. Ramseur's Division quickly overwhelmed Kitching's men in the early morning attack and pursued the retreating federals to the northwest, while Confederate General John B. Gordon's Division headed for the ridges occupied by the VI U.S. Corps. Confederate artillery later set up along this ridge.

Donated to the People of the United States

by

Vickie and Kenneth Johnson

of Virginia

Marker is on Valley Pike (U.S. 11), on the right when traveling north.

Courtesy hmdb.org

Credits and Sources: