Battle of Spotsylvania • Tour the Battlefield • Monuments & Markers • The Armies
The Upton’s Assault wayside marker and the ‘Confederate Counterattack’ marker next to it 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 Trail from Tour Stop 2.
The Upton’s Assault wayside marker on the Spotsylvania battlefield
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
From the caption:
Upton’s attack, just before the Federals struck the Confederate works.
Two wayside markers at the point where Upton’s Assault broke the Confederate line on May 10. 1864
Location of the markers
The ‘Upton’s Assault’ and ‘Confederate Counterattack’ wayside 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°13’14.5″N 77°35’36.0″W)
(go to the Upton’s Road page)
(go to Tour Stop 4)
(go to the main Battle of Spotsylvania Auto Tour page)