"MINE RUN CAMPAIGN" Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial National Military Park Off The Beaten Path Tip by mtncorg
There were other battles that occurred in and around the Fredericksburg region besides the big four battlefields. Information on several of these fights and campaigns are written up in small brochures that can be picked up from the information desk at the NPS Visitor Center - either at Fredericksburg or Chancellorsville. Included in the information is a little about the action and the significance, plus detailed instructions on how to go about finding the battlefields - most of which are not protected in any existing park. One such campaign written up is the Mine Run Campaign. Following Lee's retreat from Gettysburg, both armies found their ways back to their old stomping grounds - following a sharp Confederate repulse at Rappahanock Station. Union commander George Meade was looking at one last try at Lee before shutting down operations for the winter and coming across the Rapidan River on November 26, 1863 - via Germanna, Jacobs' and Culpeper Mine Fords (Germanna would be used again the Spring Wilderness battles). Meade hoped to surprise Lee, but the Rebels had been alerted to the Federal move. Bad weather slowed the Union advance as the two armies came together in a couple of separated clashes on November 27th. Meade sent Maj. Gen. Governeur Warren and his V corps on a flanking march several miles to the south on November 29th, but the march took so long that there was no daylight to attempt to attack and turn Lee's right that day. Overnight, Lee reinforced the position with men and entrenchments. Meade had ordered Warren to attack on the 30th but Warren informed Meade of the changed situation and advised not to attack. Meade, somewhat grumpily agreed and with lack of options, pulled the army back to the north of the Rapidan and winter quarters.
To see the old actions, you really need to pick up the NPS flier and follow the instructions closely. If nothing else, you get a nice drive through the Virginian countryside:-]
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