The Battle of Payne’s Farm
Unexpected Encounter
“There was a sudden commotion in the train ahead and several of the ambulances turned and came back in confusion. General [George H.] Steuart promptly ordered them back to their places, faced the brigade into line to the left and deployed skirmishers.” — Lt. McHenry Howard, CSA
“The Union soldiers came in sight of a road, along which the rebel baggage wagons and ambulances were being driven at a rapid rate, when they met with a firm resistance from the enemy in front.” — Regimental History, 1st Massachusetts Infantry, USA
The Battle of Payne’s Farm began at the intersection beyond the trees in front of you on the afternoon of November 27, 1863, as men of the Union III Corps met portions of Confederate Gen. Edward Johnson’s division. Even though pickets on both sides had encountered each other throughout the morning, neither side recognized the other as anything more than a small scouting party. That afternoon, as Johnson’s column was passing the intersection, however, Federal skirmishers in these woods fired upon the surprised Confederates on the Raccoon Ford Road to your left.
Gen. George H. Steuart, bringing up the Confederate rear, halted his brigade and quickly formed a line of battle in the road. On arriving and surveying the scene, Johnson ordered the rest of his division to countermarch to the scene of the action. It is unclear whether Johnson knew the full strength of the force he was facing, but it seemed to make no difference to him. In the woods and fields adjoining this intersections one Confederate division confronted a Union army corps three times its size.
Marker can be reached from Zoar Road (Virginia Route 611) near Indiantown Road (Virginia Route 603).
Courtesy hmdb.org
