The Wilderness Driving Tour Stops 7-9

Stop 7- Tapp Field

Tapp field-east. Pictures taken with my back to the tour road from north to south.

These next four images are from the end of Hill Ewell Drive between the Tapp Field east and west stops.

Tapp Field- West- 38.2888445, -77.7267084

**From behind Poague’s cannons looking east across Tapp Field**

Just over the gun barrel in the image above one can see two signs. One of them is blank and the other is the sign below.

View of Tap Field from the signs toward the middle of the field from north to south.

The text on the Texas monument is very hard to read in a photograph and is included beneath the picture of each side.

Text- “Who are you my boys?” Lee cried as he saw them gathering. “Texas boys,” they yelled, their number multiplying every second. The Texans – Hood’s Texans, of Longstreet’s Corps, place and at the right moment! After the strain of the dawn, the sight of these grenadier guards of the South was too much for Lee. For once the dignity of the Commanding General was shattered for once his poise was shaken. “Hurrah for Texas,” he shouted, waving his hat, “Hurrah for Texas.” The willing veterans sprang into position…He would lead them in the countercharge…He spurred… Traveller…on the heels of the infantry men. …”Go back, General Lee. Go back!” They cried …”we won’t go on unless you go back!” -Douglas Southall Freeman

Text- Remembers the valor and devotion of her sons who served at the Wilderness May 6, 1864. From near this spot the Texas Brigade pleaded with General Lee not to expose himself to Federal fire and then after seeing him to safety, launched a vigorous counterattack that stemmed the advance of Hancock’s Corps and saved the right flank of the Confederate army. Of approximately 800 troops involved the Texas Brigade counted over 500 casualties. Texas troops at the Wilderness were 1st Texas Infantry Regiment, Lt. Col. E.S. Bass, 4th Texas Infantry Regiment,
Col. J.P. Bane; 5th Texas Infantry Regiment, Lt. Col. K. Bryan, the Texas Brigade included the Third Arkansas Infantry Regiment (Brig. Gen. John Gregg’s Texas Brigade Maj. Gen. Charles W. Field’s Division, Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s Corps).

Shown below is the original Lee to the Rear Stone placed here by local residents around 1891. As time passed it fell over and was largely forgotten. It is located 60 feet north of Orange Plank Road not far from Texas Monument near the base of a tree.

The line has been deliberately overgrown with vegetation and is not visible. It has been this way for many years, likely in an attempt to preserve it.

Colonel Nance was killed while leading the 3rd SC of Kershaw’s brigade on the second day of the battle. He was struck by five bullets. Thought by some to have been the best officer in Kershaw’s division he is buried in Newberry, SC.

The next two images show a gravel road that was part of the old railroad bed. Parkers Store was across the field to the left about a quarter mile away. The railroad cut was an integral part of Longstreet’s flanking maneuver of the Brock Road intersection on the second day of the battle.