Confederate Defense Turns to Offense

Confederate Defense Turns to Offense (HM4NJ)

Location: Fredericksburg, VA 22407
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Country: United States of America
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N 38° 17.62', W 77° 34.314'

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Battle of Chancellorsville - 1863

Confronted by overwhelming numbers, Confederate forces fell back from Chancellorsville (three and a half miles in front of you) and established a defensive position here on April 30. General Robert E. Lee instructed Richard H. Anderson, who commanded this line, to "?Set your spades to work as vigorously as possible." Anderson did just that. With 9,100 men, he constructed a line of earthworks along Mine Road, which ran southeast from U.S. Ford, stretched across Orange Turnpike and Orange Plank Road, and then the crossed grade of the unfinished railroad to the south. Having thus covered all westerly approached from Chancellorsville, Anderson awaited reinforcements.

In the early morning hours of May 1, General Lafayette McLaws' division arrived to reinforce Anderson's line. Before daylight, three other divisions under Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson left Fredericksburg and began the march westward. At 8:30 am, Jackson reached this advanced position. After quickly surveying the situation, he ordered Anderson and McLaws to put down their spades and pick up their rifles. With a combined force of 36,500, Jackson determined to strike the Union army before it attacked him. At 10:30 am, the signal was given and the Confederate columns began their advance westward, taking the Turnpike and Plank Road. The opening clash of the Battle of Chancellorsville occurred shortly thereafter in the woods and fields one mile in front of you.
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HM NumberHM4NJ
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Date Added Saturday, October 11th, 2014 at 6:06am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)18S E 275079 N 4241528
Decimal Degrees38.29366667, -77.57190000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 38° 17.62', W 77° 34.314'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds38° 17' 37.20" N, 77° 34' 18.84" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)540
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 5875 Plank Rd, Fredericksburg VA 22407, US
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