15th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry - Spotsylvania VA
N 38° 17.467 W 077° 31.663
18S E 278936 N 4241138
A monument stands where a NJ regiment engaged in battle with Confederate troops during the Battle of Salem Church.
Waymark Code: WM8EB9
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 03/21/2010
Views: 6
On May 3, 1863, 20,000 Union troops under General Sedgwick advanced down Orange Plank Rd. from Fredericksburg. They were met with fire by Confederate troops who had taken position along the road and at
Salem Church
. The Federals broke through the Confederate lines, but were driven back.
The 15th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was one of five regiments furnished by New Jersey under a call by the president on July 1st, 1862. They joined the 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry at the Battle of Salem Church.
A monument commemorating the 15th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry stands alongside Orange Plank Rd. (modern VA Route 3). The inscription reads:
1861 - 1865
TO COMMEMORATE THE SERVICES OF THE
15TH REGIMENT, NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
COMMANDED BY COLONEL WILLIAM H. PENROSE, U.S.A.,
ENGAGED TWO HOURS ON THIS LINE OF BATTLE ON THE FEDERAL SIDE.
MAY 3RD, 1863
--------------
LOSS;[sic]
41 KILLED, 109 WOUNDED, 4 MISSING.
The monument is located a short distance east of Salem Church where most of the battle took place and on the north side of Rt. 3. There is a small pull-off directly in front. It was dedicated by the state of New Jersey on May 16, 1964 along with a similar monument for the 23rd NJ Volunteer Infantry which stands at Salem Church.