Dinwiddie in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Quaker Road Engagement

29 March 1865

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

1. Quaker Road Engagement Marker

Inscription. This was the first in a series of attempts by Grant’s army to cut Lee’s final supply line – the South Side Railroad – in spring 1865. Here at the Lewis farm, Union forces led by Brig. Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain engaged Confederates under Maj. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson. After sharp fighting, the Union troops entrenched nearby along the Boydton Plank Road and Johnson withdrew to his lines at White Oak Road. The Union army cut the rail line four days later, after capturing Five Forks on 1 April.

Erected 1991 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number S-80.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 37° 7.532′ N, 77° 31.699′ W. Marker is in Dinwiddie, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker is on Quaker Road (Virginia Route 660) one mile south of U.S. 1, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dinwiddie VA 23841, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Raceland (approx. 0.8 miles away); Gravelly Run Quaker Meeting House (approx. 0.8 miles away);

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Cattle (Beefsteak) Raid (approx. 1.7 miles away); White Oak Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Battle of Hatcher’s Run (approx. 1.7 miles away); Brigadier General John Pegram (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Hatcher’s Run (approx. 1.7 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Hatcher’s Run (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dinwiddie.

Additional commentary.
1. My grand father wounded at Quaker Road Engagement
My great-great grand father Pvt. James Wilson was wounded in right shoulder at the Quaker Road engagement. He was in Co. K 185th NYSV. I have his original rifle and many pages the national archives sent me about his yearly filings for veterans disability payments of about $11 per month. He was from Cazenovia, NY near Syracuse. He had come from Ireland in May 1850 at 21 years old on coffin ship Marchionous of Bute landing in New York city May 15, 1850. His unit was under Chamberlain that also was wounded during this infantry charge. The 185th took over 70% casualties during

Quaker Road (facing north). image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Quaker Road (facing north).

that afternoon battle.

Editor's Note: Thank you for sharing some of your family's history related to this marker. We appreciate the addition of some history behind the marker.

— Submitted September 3, 2010, by John W. Wilson Jr. of Cicero, New York.

2. General Joshua Chamberlain description of battle
In his book, "The Passing of the Armies: An Account of the Final Campaign of the Army of the Potomac", Chamberlain gives his report of the battle on pp 24-30.

— Submitted August 23, 2022, by Gary Fresen of Glenview, Illinois.

Quaker Road Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 20, 2021

3. Quaker Road Battlefield

Photo was taken east of Quaker Road facing to the northwest, the ground over which the Union Army would have made their advance.

Quaker Road Battle Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen

4. Quaker Road Battle Map

Credit: The Siege of Petersburg Online

Quaker Road Driving Tour Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 20, 2021

5. Quaker Road Driving Tour Marker

This location, in the vicinity of the Quaker Road Engagement marker, is Stop 5 on the Dinwiddie County Civil War Driving Tour.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,109 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 29, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.