Union reinforcements rushed to the sound of fighting as twilight turned to darkness in these gloomy woods. The Confederates lost direction and momentum in the smoky gloaming, and eventually the firing died away. Gordon's attack had achieved only a local, if spectacular, success.

What might have happened if the assault had begun earlier in the day? Gordon believed that "it would have resulted in a decided disaster to the whole right wing of General Grant's army, if not in its entire organization." Jubal Early wrote that "It was fortunate...that darkness came to close the affair, as the enemy, if he had been able to discover the disorder on our side, might have brought up fresh troops and availed himself of our condition." Gordon's men built and occupied these trenches on the night of May 6.

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Show me all markers in:  Locust Grove, VA  |  Orange County  |  22508  |  Virginia  |  United States of America

Gordon's Flank Attack
Fighting on the Evening of May 5, 1864
Morning of May 6
John Gordon Proposes a Flank Attack
Wilderness Battlefield Memorial
The Federals Fall Back
The Culpeper Mine Road
The Confederate Defense
140th New York State Vols.
First Blood in Saunders Field

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