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Battle of Spotsylvania • Tour the Battlefield • Monuments & Markers • The Armies

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The “Upton’s Assault” and “Confederate Counterattack” wayside markers are at a pull-off on Anderson Drive about 0.2 mile southwest of Stop 3 on the Spotsylvania Battlefield Auto Tour. The trail coming out of the woods and across the field is the continuation of Upton’s Road from Tour Stop 2. (see map below)

 

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Upton’s Assault wayside marker

Upton’s Assault

 Just before 6 p.m. on May 10, 1864, 5,000 Union soldiers led by Colonel Emory Upton—formed in deep masses rather than traditional battle lines—emerged from the woods ahead of you and dashed across this field. They reached the main Confederate line here.

Leaping over the works, they began stabbing with bayonets and swinging their muskets like clubs. More than 900 Confederate prisoners and four cannon (marked by the guns 80 yards to your left) fell into their hands. The victorious Federals swept down the works, widening the breach.

But no one had made arrangements to support the attack, and without more men Upton could go no farther. Meanwhile, in the fields behind you, Confederate generals marshaled troops to recapture the works. As daylight faded to darkness, Upton would be in for the fight of his life.

“The struggle lasted but a few seconds. Numbers prevailed, and, like a resistless wave, the column poured over the works…The column of assault had accomplished its task…The enemy’s lines were completely broken….”

-Colonel Emory Upton, USA

Caption to the background painting:

Upton’s attack, just before the Federals struck the Confederate works.

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Confederate Counterattack wayside marker

Confederate Counterattack

Confederate General Richard S. Ewell responded quickly to Upton’s breakthrough at Dole’s Salient. Wading into the melee, he shouted to the outnumbered defenders: “Don’t run, boys. I will have enough men here in five minutes to eat up every damned one of them!” Ewell was as good as his word. Within minutes, thousands of Confederate soldiers converged on this spot.

Although initially successful, Upton’s attack quickly turned into a fight for survival. Confederate lines coming across the fields behind you pressed against now-ragged Union battle lines. Without help, Upton’s men could not hold out for long. As darkness settled over the battlefield, the Southerners drove Upton’s men from the salient and recaptured the cannons they had lost earlier in the evening.

Caption to the background drawing:

Upton captured 950 Confederates in his initial charge. Union soldiers hurried the prisoners to the rear under a heavy fire.

Location of the markers

The markers are on the west side of Anderson Drive about 400 yards south of Tour Stop 3. They can also be reached by a quarter mile trail from Tour Stop 3 that follows the route of Upton’s attack. (38°13’16.3″N 77°36’12.4″W)

(go to the Upton’s Road page)
(go to Tour Stop 4)
(go to the main Battle of Spotsylvania Auto Tour page)