Battle of Spottsylvania

“The war in Virginia. Battle of Spottsylvania Courthouse- opening of the fight at Alsop’s Farm, May 8th, 1864. The direct route to Spottsylvania Courthouse is by the Brock Road, via Todd’s Tavern. On this road the Fifth Corps, under General Warren, was to take the advance, and by rapid march seize Spottsylvania Courthouse. Hancock’s corps was to follow on the same line, while Sedgwick and Burnside were to move on an exterior route by way of Chancellorsville. The vital interest of this movement centred in the march of Warren to seize Spottsylvania Courthouse. Warren’s corps advanced a 9 P. M. on the 7th. Reaching Todd’s Tavern, he was delayed for an hour and a half by the cavalry escort of General Meade blocking the way. On the 8th he was again detained by the cavalry division of General Merritt, who had been engaged in fighting and driving Stuart’s cavalry, whom Lee had sent to block the Brock Road, and who still barred further advance. Merritt, after two hours of ineffectual effort, gave way to Warren, who advanced to clear his own path. The advance brigades, under Robinson, were deployed in line of battle, while the remainder of the corps followed in column. At 8 A. M. of the 8th the column emerged from the woods into a clearing, known as Alsop’s Farm, two miles north of Spottsylvania Courthouse. Anderson (Longstreet’s corps) had in the meantime arrived at the same place, and a sharp engagement ensued, when the woods on both flanks of the Federals were cleared of the enemy. Warren waited for Sedgwick to come up. Before the latter arrived night had fallen. As a consequence of all those incidents, Lee had managed to place himself across Grant’s path, and having drawn upon the Spottsylvania Ridge a bulwark of defense, he was able to hold the Army of the Potomac in check. Our illustration shows the opening of the battle of the 8th, as viewed from General Warren’s headquarters."— Frank Leslie, 1896

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