‘March 31, 1865’ is the fourth wayside marker along the Civil War Trust’s battlefield trail at White Oak Road. The marker, erected by the Civil War Preservation Trust, looks into the remnants of a Confederate gun emplacement.
‘The Union Counterattack’ is the next wayside marker along the trail.
The view looks south from the walking trail. Although difficult to see because of the underbrish and leaves, the marker looks into the remnants of a rectangular Confederate gun emplacement which was part of the earthworks along White Oak Road.
From the marker:
March 31, 1865
Early on the morning of March 31, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee sent most of a division forward to attack the Federals from this location at White Oak Road. Fighting through the morning, the Confederate brigades enveloped and put to flight two Federal divisions in succession.
Lewellyn Shaver of the 60th Alabama was posted just west of here. There, “we were in line of battle in a piece of woods in front of which distant about 50 yards lay the road. Beyond … an extensive field – probably a mile and a half in length by a half mile in width. In this field, about a hundred and fifty yards from the road, was a line of picket holes, each fifty yards apart, occupied by Confederate riflemen.” Beyond, Shaver noted, “two heavy lines of battle of Federal infantry, distinctly visible on the further edge of the field.”
Four Confederate brigades formed in the woods on the north side of White Oak Road, then advanced and smashed into the Federal columns. Brigadier General Romeyn B. Ayres’ Federal division shattered under the onslaught and fled, along with Brigadier General Samuel Crawford’s division, back across Gravelly Run to the south. A member of the 6th Wisconsin, one of the regiments in Crawford’s division, recalled, “The formation of our lines was not completed before he enemy attacked us, bursting through gaps in our lines … catching the 3rd brigade while getting into position and driving them back in confusion, which exposed the right flank of our brigade and our regiment especially.”
Confederate General Robert E. Lee rode along these fortifications on the morning of March 31st inspecting the lines. He learned from Bushrod Johnson’s men that Union troops in front of the works had their “left flank in the air.” To take advantage of this careless disposition of Union troops, Lee was determined to attack and to roll up the exposed Union flank.
The bottom left of the marker features a picture of General Warren with the caption:
Union General Gouverneur K. Warren’s Fifth Corps maneuvered to interpose itself between Confederate General Anderson’s lines and General Pickett’s forces to the west.
The top of the marker features a picture of Gen. Johnson with the caption:
Confederate General Bushrod Johnson’s troops were tasked with flanking the Federals.
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Part of this battlefield
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