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Battle of Fredericksburg • Tour the Battlefield • Monuments & Markers • Armies

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The “Confederate Artillery” wayside marker is along the Marye’s Heights Trail at Stop One on the Fredericksburg Battlefield Auto Tour. (see map below)

Text from the marker:

Confederate Artillery

Artillery was an effective weapon, particularly when used in defensive combat. Nowhere was that demonstrated more clearly than here on Marye’s Heights, where nine guns of the Washington Artillery shattered the ranks of the oncoming Union army. “The shells fell thick and fast, exploding with deafening roar right in our midst. Shattered, torn and bleeding, our column still pushed on,” wrote one Union soldier.

Toward sunset the Washington Artillery’s ammunition ran low and the battalion retired to safety. Colonel Edward Porter Alexander’s reserve artillery galloped up from the rear to take its place. Mistaking the Washington Artillery’s withdrawal for a general Confederate retreat, Union forces again pressed toward the heights, only to be greeted by the blasts of Alexander’s fresh guns. The Union battle lines dissolved in the growing darkness.

From the caption to the background illustration:
The Washington Artillery fires on Union troops from Marye’s Heights. Note the spires of Fredericksburg in the distance.

Location of the marker

The marker is along the Marye’s Heights Trail next to the Willis Hill Buildings wayside marker. (38°17’39.3″N 77°28’07.1″W)