Near Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Reams Station
The Petersburg (& Weldon) Railroad
By the time of the Civil War, the Petersburg Railroad accessed the coast of North Carolina and the interior of the Deep South. At Weldon, N.C., the Petersburg Railroad connected with the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, which enabled cargo from this line to be rapidly transferred from the coast to the war front. Other connecting railroads linked the Petersburg Railroad to lines leading to the Deep South.
By the spring of 1864, the Petersburg Railroad was of even greater importance because it was one of the only two main supply arteries for General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. All types of necessary war material, including food for troops and fodder for animals, passed along this corridor, making it and the South Side Railroad Lieutenant General U.S. Grant's two primary objectives during the Petersburg campaign.
The original roadbed of the Petersburg Railroad is the present day Halifax Road in front of you.
Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 10, 1830.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 5.766′ N, 77° 25.298′ W. Marker was near Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Reams Drive (County Route 604) and Halifax Road (County Route 606), on the right when traveling west. Located in Civil War Preservation Trust's Reams Station Battlefield. The parking area is off Reams Drive. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Second Battle Of Reams Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Battle of Reams Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Ream's Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Second Battle Of Reams Station (about 700 feet away); North Carolina (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Second Battle Of Reams Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fighting At Reams Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Reams Station (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
More about this marker. The background of the marker is a drawing of The destruction of the Petersburg (& Weldon) Railroad by Union troops in 1864. (From Harper's History of the Great Rebellion.) An inset in the center shows a Period broadside advertising train service between Petersburg and Weldon, N.C. (From the photographic collection of Russell Wayne Davis).
Also see . . .
1. Reams Station. National Park Service site detailing the phases of the battle. (Submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Reams Station Preservation Efforts. The Civil War Preservation Trust continues their work ensuring the battlefield at Reams Station is preserved. This site offers not only maps and additional information about the battle, but "clean" copies of the markers on site. Look on the right under Slideshows for the Reams Station Interpretive Trail. (Submitted on November 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,469 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.