Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park |
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The stone wall along Sunken Road, in Fredericksburg
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 Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
Location in Virginia
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg counties, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S. |
| Area | 8,405 acres (34.01 km2) |
| Established | February 14, 1927 |
| Visitors | 534,636 (in 2005) |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park |
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Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial National Military Park
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| Area | 4,601.1 acres (1,862 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000046 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
The Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park is a special place in Virginia, USA. It's managed by the National Park Service. This park remembers four big battles from the American Civil War. These battles happened in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Spotsylvania County. The four main battles were: Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, The Wilderness, and Spotsylvania.
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Explore the Civil War Battles Here
This park protects the sites where four important battles took place. Each battle was a key moment in the American Civil War.
The Battle of Fredericksburg: December 1862
This battle happened from December 11 to 15, 1862. Union General Ambrose Burnside tried to cross the Rappahannock River. His goal was to capture Richmond, the capital of the Confederate states. But his supplies were delayed. This gave Confederate General Robert E. Lee time to set up strong defenses. The Union army faced a terrible defeat. Many soldiers were lost. You can visit a visitor center here with park rangers to learn more.
The Battle of Chancellorsville: May 1863
This battle took place from May 1 to 3, 1863. General Robert E. Lee made a very risky plan. He split his army. He sent General Stonewall Jackson on a surprise attack around the Union army. This move completely surprised Union General Joseph Hooker. Hooker lost his courage and ordered his troops to retreat. This was a big victory for the Confederates. A visitor center with park rangers is available here.
The Battle of The Wilderness: May 1864
This battle happened from May 5 to 7, 1864. It was General Robert E. Lee's first fight against Union General Ulysses S. Grant. The battle took place in a thick forest. This made it hard for Grant to use his many cannons. Both sides had a huge number of soldiers killed or wounded. The battle ended in a tie. Grant pulled back, but only to find a more open area to fight again. There are exhibit shelters here, sometimes staffed by park rangers.
The Battle of Spotsylvania: May 1864
This battle occurred from May 8 to 21, 1864. Spotsylvania was an important crossroads. Grant wanted to take control of it. This would keep his army between Lee and the Confederate capital, Richmond. But Lee's army got there just before Grant. Heavy rain made the gunpowder wet. This led to intense hand-to-hand fighting. Soldiers fought very closely. Exhibit shelters are available, sometimes with park rangers.
The park also protects four historic buildings. These buildings are connected to the battles. They include Chatham Manor, Salem Church, Ellwood Manor, and the house where Stonewall Jackson died. You can also see the ruins of the Chancellor family mansion. Chatham Manor is open every day. All these sites are free to visit.
History of the Park
The park was officially created on February 14, 1927. Its full name is the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial National Military Park. It used to be managed by the War Department. In 1933, it became part of the National Park Service. Its long name, with 75 letters, is the longest name of any national park site!
On October 15, 1966, the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes important historical sites. The park covers about 8,374 acres. The U.S. government owns most of this land. More than 500,000 people visit the battlefields each year.
Fredericksburg National Cemetery
The Fredericksburg National Cemetery was created in July 1865. This was right after the American Civil War ended. It was built to honor the Federal soldiers. These soldiers died in the local battles or from sickness. The cemetery is located on Marye's Heights. This was a strong Confederate position during the Battle of Fredericksburg.
There are 15,243 Civil War soldiers buried here. But only 2,473 of them were identified. The graves of known and unknown soldiers look different. Identified soldiers have their own graves. Their headstones are rounded and show their name and home state. Unknown soldiers were buried in mass graves. The headstones for these plots have two numbers. The top number shows the plot. The bottom number tells how many soldiers are buried there.
About 100 soldiers from the 20th century are also buried in the cemetery. Sometimes, their spouses are buried next to them. New burials were allowed until 1945. There is also a separate cemetery called Willis Cemetery on Marye's Heights. It was there before the Civil War. A brick wall sets it apart from the Civil War burials.
You can find plaques with parts of a poem by Theodore O'Hara throughout the cemetery. The poem is called "The Bivouac of the Dead". O'Hara wrote it in 1847. It honors American soldiers who died in the Mexican–American War. The first two parts and a section of the eleventh part are displayed:
The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last Tattoo;
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents to spread,
And glory guards, with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
Nor troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind;
No vision of the morrow's strife
The warrior's dreams alarms;
No braying horn or screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead,
Dear as the blood ye gave,
No impious footstep here shall tread
The herbage of your grave.
Several monuments and memorials are in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery:
- 127th Pennsylvania Volunteer Monument
- Fifth Corps Monument (dedicated 1901)
- Humphreys' Division Monument
- Moesch Monument
- Parker's Battery Memorial
Photo gallery
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The stone wall and Sunken Road at the foot of Marye's Heights
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Cannon preserved at the Chancellorsville Battlefield
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Humphreys' Division Monument (1908) is in the center of the cemetery
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Closeup of Humphreys' Division Monument
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The 127th Pennsylvania Volunteer Monument
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"Longstreet's Line" on Marye's Heights
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Fifth Corps Monument erected by Daniel Butterfield
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Parker's Battery Memorial
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The Innis House and Sunken Road
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Richard Rowland Kirkland Monument (dedicated 1965)
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Original 1862 damage to the interior of the Innis House
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Only remaining original section of the Sunken Road's stone wall
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Sunken Road and a section of restored stone wall
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Plaque showing the first half of the first octave of Bivouac of the Dead
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Plaque showing the second half of the first octave of Bivouac of the Dead
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Plaque showing the first half of the second octave of Bivouac of the Dead
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Plaque showing the second half of the second octave of Bivouac of the Dead
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Plaque showing the first half of the eleventh octave of Bivouac of the Dead
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A second plaque showing the first half of the first octave of Bivouac of the Dead
