Confederate Defense Turns to Offense
Battle of Chancellorsville - 1863
Confronted by overwhelming numbers, Confederate forces fell back from Chancellorsville (three and a half miles in front of you) and established a defensive position here on April 30. General Robert E. Lee instructed Richard H. Anderson, who commanded this line, to “…Set your spades to work as vigorously as possible.” Anderson did just that. With 9,100 men, he constructed a line of earthworks along Mine Road, which ran southeast from U.S. Ford, stretched across Orange Turnpike and Orange Plank Road, and then the crossed grade of the unfinished railroad to the south. Having thus covered all westerly approached from Chancellorsville, Anderson awaited reinforcements.
In the early morning hours of May 1, General Lafayette McLaws’ division arrived to reinforce Anderson’s line. Before daylight, three other divisions under Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson left Fredericksburg and began the march westward. At 8:30 am, Jackson reached this advanced position. After quickly surveying the situation, he ordered Anderson and McLaws to put down their spades and pick up their rifles. With a combined force of 36,500, Jackson determined to strike the Union army before it attacked him. At 10:30 am, the signal was given and the Confederate columns began their advance westward, taking the Turnpike and Plank Road. The opening clash of the Battle of Chancellorsville occurred shortly thereafter in the woods and fields one mile in front of you.
Marker can be reached from Plank Road/Germanna Highway (Virginia Route 3) near Harrison Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
