With the announcement of a newly purchased seven-acre tract of Spotsylvania battlefield land on Brock Road, the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust is continuing its process of acquiring property along that significant wartime route that played important parts in the two-week struggle for Spotsylvania Court House.
This tract saw both fighting and troop movements as the armies transitioned from the fierce confused combat of the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5 & 6, 1864) to the still brutal but more extended struggle at Spotsylvania Court House (May 8-21).
As Confederate cavalry grudgingly gave ground along Brock Road on May 7, first to the Federal cavalry, and then on May 8 to leading elements of the Army of the Potomac’s V Corps under Brig. Gen. John C. Robinson’s division, followed by Brig. Gen. Charles Griffin’s division, soldiers from both sides stubbornly fought across and moved over this ground. One Union soldier latter recalled, the “Confederates contesting every inch of the way. . . .” After all, high stakes were involved; either maintaining or taking the strategic crossroads prize of Spotsylvania Court House.
On May 8, 1864, as the Fifth Corps divisions marched down Brock Road, their commander, Maj. Gen. Gouvereur K. Warren, decided to send John C. Robinson’s brigades in as they arrived in hopes of dislodging the Confederates before the southerners dug in too deeply. The Confederate defenders stymied the Union assaults. Undeterred, Warren sent in Griffin’s brigades. They, too, received rough handling by Maj. Gen. Richard Anderson’s entrenching Confederates and fell back.
Brig. Gen. Lysander Cutler, now in charge of the Fourth Division, due to Maj. Gen. James Wadsworth’s mortal wounding on May 6 at the Wilderness, commanded three brigades, those of Brig. Gen. Wiliam W. Robinson, Brig. Gen. James C. Rice, and Col. Edward S. Bragg. Embarking at about 10:30 a.m. from the 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery tract, William Robinson’s brigade—the renowned “Iron Brigade”—pushed forward, while Bragg attacked from CVBT’s previously preserved 5th Corps Brock Road tract, and Rice advanced to Bragg’s left. On Bragg’s left, on the east side of Brock Road, Brig. Gen. Samuel Crawford’s two brigade division advanced.
During the assault by Culter’s and Crawford’s divisions, the right of Cutler’s brigades (Bragg first and then Robinson) were flanked by Alabamians. After gaining their bearings, the Federals pushed the Alabamians back to their main line but eventually withdrew.
Lt. Col Rufus Dawes – Wisconsin Historical Society
About 10 a.m. on the 8th the brigade moved forward to assault the enemy in position at Laurel Hill, near Spotsylvania Court-House. This regiment was assigned to position in the second line, but as the lines moved forward, in obedience to instructions from Col. W. W. Robinson, commanding brigade, I placed my regiment on the right of the front line.” – Lt. Col Rufus Dawes, 6th Wisconsin
t. Aaron E. Walcott – Library of Congress
During the assault by Culter’s and Crawford’s divisions, the right of Cutler’s brigades (Bragg first and then Robinson) were flanked by Alabamians. After gaining their bearings, the Federals pushed the Alabamians back to their main line but eventually withdrew.
When John C. Robinson’s division advanced early in the Union assaults, Capt. Augustus P. Martin’s 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery battery accompanied it to the front, At some point during the action, Capt. Martin was wounded and Lt. Aaron E. Walcott assumed command of the Battery and withdrew with Robinson’s repulses. “about half a mile to a small knoll which commanded the valley of a little stream [eventually] emptying into the Po River.” Over the next few days different V Corps artillery batteries occupied the 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery tract, protecting themselves and guns by constructing earthwork lunettes that remain visible today.
There are several key reasons why these pristine acres are now saved forever. First, in doing so it will maintain the current rural condition of this historic green-space. Second, and as mentioned above, preserving the extensive artillery lunette cultural resources on this ground highlights its importance during the fighting at Spotsylvania. Third, saving the 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery tract helps add another piece to those tracts already saved by CVBT, the American Battlefield Trust, and the National Park Service in this immediate area, which in turn advances the process of eventually connecting them all. Lastly, when interpreted, and opened, this land will be an invaluable resource for Civil War enthusiasts, as well as the general public, to learn about our nation’s shared past and to enjoy its surrounding nature.
The 3rd Massachusetts Light Artillery property would be in the area between numbers 9 and 10 (arrow) on the right-hand side of the image. Library of Congress
This Pristine 7.2-acre parcel, includes a dozen artillery lunettes.
Originally bought in the early 1980’s, the owner planned to build an artillery museum on the parcel, as it has many lunettes exposed. Those plans never came to fruition.
After several conversations between the parties, as well as internally, a deal was struck, and in May 2025 CVBT agreed to purchase the 7.2-acre parcel. The owner, wanting to see this site preserved, conveyed a rare purchase agreement favoring CVBT. We thank the owner!
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