CVBT Announces A Preservation Victory Along Brock Road

by Emerging Civil War

Posted on November 2, 2019

Earlier this week, Central Virginia Battlefields Trust (CVBT) announced a preservation victory at Spotsylvania, along historic Brock Road. 14.4 acres which had been zoned for residential properties can now be preserved and restored to their 1864 appearance to tell the stories of courage and commitment, determination and sacrifice. The significance of the land is tied to the history of the Battle of Spotsylvania during the Overland Campaign in the spring of 1864.

Part of a commanding ridge, this key tract of land was a pivotal point during the Battle of Spotyslvania in May 1864. Here, Union General G. K. Warren and his Fifth Corps staged for their initial attacks on May 8, 1864, which opened the new battle after Grant’s decision to press forward after the Battle of the Wilderness. The Fifth Corps used the land as a rallying point both on May 8 and later on May 10 and 12. As the Union lines shifted during the battle, this ground along Brock Road became the defensive cornerstone for the Union Army and also an avenue for Confederate movements when the Southerners probed the Union defenses.

Part of the tract of land recently preserved alongside Brock Road.

Robert Lee Hodge, historic preservationist and a CVBT board member (and ECW author), has labelled Brock Road: “One of the most historical roads in America.”

  • During the Battle of Chancellorsville, Confederate General “Stonewall” Jackson used portions of the road his famed flanked march.
  • Major fighting occurred along the road during Battle of the Wilderness, and at the Brock Road and Orange Plank intersection, General Ulysses S. Grant turned south, continuing the Overland Campaign.
  • Battle occurred along the road during the Battle of Spotsylvania, including the “Fifth Corps Tract” now preserved by Central Virginia Battlefields Trust.

While the board and staff at CVBT celebrate this wonderful preservation victory that ensures these 14.4 acres of battleground will not be paved over or subdivided for building projects, they also expressed the need to look forward to future opportunities to save hallowed along this historic road as it becomes available for purchase. To learn more about Central Virginia Battlefields Trust and their efforts at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania, visit their website: https://www.cvbt.org/

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