Germanna Crossing - Civil War Discovery Trail Sites on Waymarking.com

In May 1864, the Union army broke their winter camp in Culpeper, VA and moved on the Confederate army who were encamped on the other side of the Rapidan River in Orange County. One of the fords across the Rapidan was the Germanna crossing. From here and another crossing at Ely's Ford, the Army of the Potomac moved on to the Wilderness.

They had intended to attack the Confederate army at Mine Run, but when Confederate Gen. Lee learned of the crossing, he also moved his troops to Wilderness. Thus began the first battle of the 1984 Overland Campaign.

Two CWT markers are located at the Germanna Visitor Center on Rt. 3 between Culpeper and the Wilderness battlefield. A dirt road leads to the Rapidan River. It is chained, but permission to walk down to the river can be obtained by checking in at the Visitor Center. The ford can be observed from the bridge on Rt. 3, but caution is advised due to the traffic.

References:

• Virtual Tour Stop, Germanna Ford (U.S. National Park Service)
• On-site information

Type of site: Transportation Route or Facility Address: Germanna Visitor Center 2062 Germanna Highway Locust Grove, VA USA 22508 Phone Number: 540 423 1700 Admission Charged: No Charge Website: [Web Link] Driving Directions: Rt. 3W from Fredericksburg

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Date Logged Log User Rating   03/30/2012 bjohn913 visited it