Ordeal of the Wellfords
The Battle of Chancellorsville
In December 1862 the Wellford family fled Fredericksburg to escape the ravages of battle. Five months later war found them again - here, in a commodious brick home that stood in the field in front of you. On April 30, Union troops arrived. "About 20 visited us," wrote Evelina Wellford, "searching the house for arms and Confederates, shooting the fowls, and stealing provisions, of which we had a scant supply."
On May 2, as Jackson's flanking column passed by and the rattle of approaching Union battle lines neared, the Wellfords piled trunks into carts and "hurriedly took our departure for the woods, making as good time as you might imagine under the circumstances." The Wellfords returned days later to a damaged home. "I think," wrote Evelina Wellford, "a few more moves of the kind will just break us up entirely."
Marker is on Jackson Trail East, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
