McCarty Farm
Battle of Chancellorsville - 1863
Behind you, on the Orange Turnpike, stood the home of Frances McCarty. In 1860, Frances lived here with three members of her family. She owned 120 acres, three slaves, and scratched out a living as a farmer. Like so many residents of Sptosylvania County, the McCarty household suffered the intrusion and devastation brought on by the Civil War.
On the evening of April 30, 1863, the McCarty Farm was the scene of intense activity as Confederate soldiers constructed defensive earthworks across the property. The family was forced from their home, as the house was converted into a military headquarters and hospital. When they returned, both house and grounds were in shambles, with fresh graves scarring the once plowed fields.
After the war the remains of seven Union soldiers were removed from the property and interred at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. The McCarty House survived the war but was destroyed at some later date.
”the place was very much destroyed by the use as fuel of the fencing, posts, wagon and other lumber…They also used the plank about the yard & stables & other wooden articles in burying the dead…”
Maria McCarty
Marker can be reached from Plank Road/Germanna Highway (Virginia Route 3) near Harrison Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
