May 24, 1864 1:00pm - 4:00pm

The five Virginia regiments led by Colonel David A. Weisiger began construction of the trenches before you on the morning of May 24 and continued to work on them during the next two days. The Virginians had been resting quietly near Anderson's Tavern on the Virginia Central Railroad when a reported Union advance — a movement begun before noon by Warren's Fifth Corps — prompted Lieutenant General A.P. Hill to move the remainder General Mahone's division here to protect Ox Ford. Four cannon of Lieutenant R. Propser Landry's Donaldsonville (Louisiana) Artillery added strength to this position.

In May 1864 you would have seen only an open field beyond this trench line. As you walk the line, notice the various styles used by each unit. You will observe wide artillery pits as well as numerous traverses, or short trenches, which protrude back from the main trench. These "side" trenches protected the soldiers from flanking fire from across the river.

"May 24...in first rate breastworks and the boys are only afraid the Yankees will not charge...." John F. Sale, 12th Virginia Infantry

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Presented to the people of the United States in memory of Robert Rawls, Franklin, Virginia, Private, company I, 41st Virginia Infantry, by his grandson, Sol W. Rawls, VMI, 1940, and great grandson, S. Waite Rawls, III, VMI, 1970.

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The Ox Ford Road
One Brigade Alone
Run for Safety
The Heart of Dixie
Dead of the North Anna Battlefield
The Fight for North Anna / The North Anna Battlefield
Men from Massachusetts
Like the Coming of a Cyclone
"Come on to Richmond"

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