Face Off
Mine Run Campaign
"Men, there is no use denying it, but three-quarters of you are to be left in that marsh with your toes turned up; but remember the Fourteenth never quailed yet, and I'll shoot the first man who does it now."
Lt. Col. Samuel Moore to the men of the 10th Connecticut on the eve of the planned attack at Mine Run.
For four days the armies - totaling more than 150,000 men - glared at each other across Mine Run. Skirmishers exchanged occasional shots; batteries periodically dueled. The men dug trenches (some of which remain) and fought to stay warm in bitter cold. Dozens of men on the picket lines - without the benefit of fires - froze to death. For most men, Mine Run amounted to a contest not against their enemies, but against the elements.
The climax was to have come on November 30, Meade intended to attack Lee's right along the Orange Plank Road, three miles south of here. But at the last minute, one of Meade's corps commanders canceled the assault. Union soldiers rejoiced, for the thoughts of attacking Confederate works across a mile of open ground appealed to none of them. On December 2, Lee attempted a move against the Union left flank, but by then Meade had started his army back across the Rapidan River.
Marker is at the intersection of Constitution Highway (State Highway 20) and Gole Dale Road (County Route 611), on the right when traveling east on Constitution Highway.
Courtesy hmdb.org
