New marker traces Lafayette’s steps through Wilderness

A new historical marker in Orange County will tell the story of Marquis de Lafayette’s maneuvers in Virginia during 1781.

The marker, sponsored by the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, will be placed within a mile of the intersection of routes 20 and 3.

The marker will read: “In the campaign of 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette marched through the Wilderness to rendezvous with Brig. Gen. ‘Mad Anthony’ Wayne. On 3 June 1781, Lafayette’s army camped south of the Wilderness Bridge across Wilderness Run from Ellwood.

The next day, Lafayette reconnoitered Ely’s Ford while the army crossed Germanna Ford to reach Culpeper Church.

“Afterward Lafayette, marching south, recrossed the Rapidan River. During his Grand American Tour, Lafayette retraced his campaign and visited the Wilderness twice. In November 1824, Lafayette attended a reception at the Wilderness Tavern, and in August 1825 he breakfasted at Ellwood.”