Image above: Photo of one of the waysides along the 1.5 mile trail leading through the Battlefield at Mine Run, Payne's Farm. Courtesy America's Best History.
Spotlight on Lesser Known History
Mine Run, Payne's Farm Battlefield
Virginia
America's Best History Spotlight
On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.
Mine Run Campaign, Battle of Payne's Farm, Virginia
It was already September of 1863 and Lincoln was still mad at General George Meade for allowing the Confederates to leave the Battle of Gettysburg and not following up the Union victory there with vibrant pursuit. So Meade and his fellow Union commanders; General Warren, General French, and others began the engagements known as the Mine Run Campaign. The largest battle of these was the Battle of Payne's Farm, not far southwest from the Chancellorsville battlefield. The land now has been preserved by the American Battlefield Trust (i.e. Civil War Trust) and others and its six hundred and ninety acres with one and one half mile walking trail and many waysides can be visited for a self-guided tour or video tour.
Photo above: General Warren's 6th Corps troops waiting to attack as artillery battle raged, 1864, Harper's Weekly via Wikipedia Commons. From original sketch by William Waud.
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Info, What's There Now, History Nearby
Battle of Mine Run, Payne's Farm, Virginia
The battle at Payne's farm was the largest and most significant of the engagements known as the Mine Run Campaign. The Union craved some sort of victory in the fall to winter of 1863. It would be another clash between General George Meade for the Union and General Robert E. Lee for the Confederates. There were 69,643 soldiers for the Union and 44,426 for the Confederate Army. It was late November and Meade had had little success during the Bristoe Campaign during the month before. His next move was through the Wilderness and try to surprise the right flank of the Confederate Army. In the advance was the third Corps of General William French; meeting him was General Jubal Early, commanding General Ewell's Corps, on the Orange Turnpike. There were two attacks by Union forces and a counterattack by Johnson's Division of Confederates. The battle was inconclusive and both eventually withdrew from the area; Lee to fortifications along Mine Run. Meade, sighting the strong position of Lee, ended the winter campaign.
Image above: Open fields of the battlefield at Payne's Farm. Courtesy America's Best History. Below: Drawing of the retreat of the 6th Corps at Germanna Ford. Alfred R. Waud. Courtesy Library of Congress via Wikipedia Commons.
Where Is It
Battle of Payne's farm is located southwest of the Chancellorsville section of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. Head west from Chancellorsville on Route 3, then head south on Route 20 toward Zoar Road, Route 611, turn right. It is located across from the Zoar Baptist Church.
Minute Walk in History - Battle of Mine Run, Payne's Farm
Take a walk with us along the trails of the Battlefield Trust in their preserved land of the Battle of Payne's Farm in the Mine Run Campaign in late 1863. From the words of Union Third Corps commander, General William French, learn his perspective of the battle from his report. Although French was not praised for some of his efforts, the Battle of Payne's Farm remains an interesting gander into the two armies as they battled after Gettysburg, but prior to General Grant taking over command. Narration by Jason Donovan.
What is There Now
Battle of Payne's Farm
The American Battlefield Trust has saved much of this land, circa 690 acres in total. There is no visitor center or facilities, but it does have a parking lot, wayside exhibits, and more along a long trail, 1.5 miles, inside the woods where the battle was fought and vistas across the fields which also saw action. A cell phone tour is available through the American Battlefield Trust on their website or on Youtube.
When Open and How Much
No fee. The site is open from Sunrise to Sunset.
Fees and hours are subject to change.
Websites
Battle of Mine Run, American Battlefield Trust
Battle of Mine Run, National Park Service
History Nearby
You are very close to many Civil War and American president sites. Ask at the Visitor Center at Chancellorsville for suggestions.
Photos, History, and More Spotlights
Mine Run Campaign
The Mine Run campaign was a relatively short effort for General Meade to gain victory. He had twice the amount of troops and thought that General Lee had split his Army in two. And he would attack quickly without diversions, first near Clark's Mountain, until the 3rd Corps of William French got bogged down at Jacob's Ford and cost the element of speed. Meade was furious at French. Skirmishers met near Locust Grove, then Confederate General Edward Johnson decided to attempt a double-envelope maneuver despite not knowing the strength or location of the enemy. Its actual strenth was 32,000; Johnson had 5,500. In the bare two and one half hour fight, losses were heavy, but surprisingly favored the Confederates; 1,653 Union men were killed, wounded, or missing with 629 for the enemy.
Photo above: Mine Run Campaign Generals in camp during September 1863; Generals Warren, French, Meade, Hunt, Humphreys, and Sykes (left to right), 1863, Mathew Brady. Courtesy Library of Congress via Wikipedia Commons.
Importance
The efforts were inconclusive according to many, although with the Confederate positioning strongly along the other side of Mine Run after retreating, plans for another major battle never really came. The Union bombarded the position, but did not engage in a major attack. It was halted by Generals Meade and Warren. Fighting was now done for 1863 after the Union Army retired to winter quarters at Brandy Station.
Image above: Woods amidst walking trail at Payne's Farm. Courtesy America's Best History.Buy Second Edition
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Great book to keep middle school to college students up to date on their American history.
Other Facts
Battle began on November 27, 1863. Campaign ended on December 2. This was the last battle where the Army of the Potomac was effectively under the command of General George Meade. Although he would keep the title, General U.S. Grant was brought in by President Lincoln to preside above him. Grant would be at the forefront for the next two years before the war was decided in favor of the Union.
Photo above: Wayside about the Battle of Payne's Farm along walking trail. Courtesy America's Best History.
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