Confederate March From the North Anna River

Following the Union army's departure from the North Anna River on 26 May 1864, Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee cautiously moved his army south toward Richmond to stay between the Federals and the capital. Lee's wagon trains, using nearby Ellett's Bridge, crossed the South Anna River on 27 May. The Confederate First Corps, led by Lt. Gen. Richard H. Anderson, marched down the tracks of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad and crossed the river on the railroad bridge just north of here. Other Confederate columns pushed south on separate routes, making for Atlee's Station and Totopotomoy Creek.