This tour of the Sunken Road area of the Fredericksburg Battlefield can be viewed at home, or can be used as a guide onsite. If following this tour onsite, the distance covered will be about a half a mile and the tour will take about an hour to complete. This tour is also available via the National Park Service app (available at the Apple Store and on Google Play). View a map of the Sunken Road Walking Trail (pdf).
1. The Sunken Road
During the Battle of Fredericksburg the US Army of the Potomac embarked on a winter campaign and sent waves of soldiers to attack a seemingly impregnable position. Why did this happen? This tour explores the events and contexts for the Battle of Fredericksburg. Learn of the commanders, the private soldiers, and the civilians who were thrust onto the center stage of the Civil War. Wind your way up the hill and into the National Cemetery, where nearly 15,000 U.S. soldiers rest—a reminder of the cost of war and of the nation put together from the pieces left over. Walk to the Innis House, Stop #2Walk north along the Sunken Road, away from the parking lot, approximately 0.1 miles until you reach the small, white house located on the right, to the east of the road.2. Innis House
Walk to the Cobb Memorial, Stop #3Walk in the direction toward the Innis House, but turn left at the first paved park trail, leading up Marye's Heights. The trail leads up the hill and turns, placing you at a view over the Sunken Road. It is approximately 0.16 miles to Marye's Heights from the Cobb Memorial.3. Cobb Memorial
Walk up Marye's HeightsWalk in the direction toward the Innis House, but turn left at the first paved park trail, leading up Marye's Heights. The trail leads up the hill and turns, placing you at a view over the Sunken Road. It is approximately 0.16 miles to Marye's Heights from the Cobb Memorial.4. Marye's Heights
Continue on to Artillery PositionContinue of the trail atop Marye's Height, until you reach the cannons (350 down the trail) just before the entrance to the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.5. Marye's Heights: Artilery Position
Walk to Humphreys Monument, Stop #6Continue along the trail to the entrance of the Fredericksburg National Cemetery. The main central path through the cemetery will lead you to the Humphreys Monument. The distance from the Artillery Position straight to the Humphreys Monument is approximately 400 feet. You are welcome to walk through the cemetery at your leisure before continuing the guided tour. *Pets are not allowed in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.* 6. Humphreys Monument
Walk to Superintendent's Lodge, Stop #7Turning south from the Humphreys Monument towards the main Fredericksburg Battlefield Visitor Center will put you on the steep cobblestone path that passes the cemetery terraces and leads down the hill. The Superintendent's Lodge is located just before the main cemetery gate to the left of the path. *The Superintendent's Lodge is not open to the public. Please view from a distance.*7. Superintendent's Lodge
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Last updated: October 3, 2022