Battle of the Wilderness • Tour the Battlefield • Monuments & Markers • The Armies
This pair of markers are on the west side of Hill-Ewell Drive at its intersection with Orange Plank Road. They are about 0.3 mile past the Stop Six pull-off on the Wilderness Battlefield Auto Tour. These are two of several markers on the battlefield that date from the 1950s. Made of cast aluminum set in a wooden framework, the markers were sturdy and weather resistant and they could be read from a nearby car. The castings could also be very detailed and painted to provide battlefield maps.
Wilderness Campaign – May 5 historical marker
Text from the marker:
Wilderness Campaign
May 5, 1864. Since Longstreet’s Corps was still on the way from encampment near Gordonsville, Lee began this battle with only two of his three corps. Keeping Ewell on the defensive in the Orange Turnpike sector, he pushed A.P. Hill’s Corps eastward along the Plank Road to seize Grant’s route of march, the Brock Road. Getty’s Division and Hancock’s Corps foiled the Confederate thrust. When darkness ended the struggle, Hill’s exhausted troops in this vicinity awaited relief from Longstreet’s men and made little effort to entrench. Longstreet did not arrive until the next morning. Confederate trench remains on this front represent later improvements.
United States Department of the Interior – National Park Service.
Wilderness Battlefield Map
Text from the map marker:
Wilderness Battlefield
Morning of May 5, 1864
Attempting to turn Lee, the Federals found themselves across his path. Crawford’s Division of Warren’s Corps was pulled back from its route to Parker’s Store as Warren struck Ewell on the Turnpike. Here in the Plank Road sector, while Hill advanced toward the Brock, Getty’s Division of Sedgwick’s Corps rushed southward about midday to seize the vital Brock-Plank intersection.
Morning of May 6, 1864
On the Turnpike neither side gained advantage during the morning. Here on the Orange Plank Road, however, Hancock routed Hill, only to be stopped by Longstreet’s timely arrival. Longstreet then flanked Hancock’s forces back to the Brock Road. Both sides strongly entrenched on May 6 and 7.
Location of the marker
The markers are on the south side of Hill-Ewell Drive about 50 yards before it ends at Orange Plank Road. (38°17’39.5″N 77°43’11.5″W) There is a pull-off at the markers.