Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
Virtual Tour Stop, Germanna Ford
During the winter of 1863-1864, the Rapidan River separated the opposing armies. The Wilderness Campaign began when the Union army, with the exception of the Second Corps crossed the river at Germanna Ford on May 4-5, 1864. The Second Corps crossed at Ely's Ford. This photo shows the Union army crossing at Germanna Ford during the Wilderness Campaign.
This modern photo shows the Rapidan River at Germanna Ford. The ford was used both during the Chancellorsville and Wilderness campaigns as well as other times during the war.
Did You Know?
Marye's Heights is what Civil War soldiers called the high ground immediately west of Fredericksburg. It would be more accurate to call it Willis Heights. The heights consisted of two hills where the Willis and Marye families lived prior to the war. Willis Hill is the larger of the two hills.