Louisa in Louisa County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Custer Rescued
An All-out Assault
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
1. Custer Rescued Marker
By mid-morning on June 11, 1864, Gen. George A. Custer's attack on Confederate Gen. Wade Hampton's wagon train here had gone from success to near disaster as Southern cavalry surrounded Custer's force. A staff officer of Gen. Alfred T.A. Torbert, Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's 1st Cavalry Division commander, finally discovered Custer's predicament and reported it to Torbert. About 2 p.m., Torbert launched an all-out assault along the railroad with three brigades that broke through to Custer's Michigan men and rescued them. The 10th New York Cavalry of Col. J. Irvin Gregg's brigade also captured Trevilian Station. The Federals now controlled this portion of the Virginia Central Railroad, including the depot and Nertherland Tavern.
Two hours later, Confederate Gens. Matthew C. Butler and Thomas L. Rosser counterattacked along the Union west front, but Rosser received a serious leg wound and the attack faltered. The first day's fighting sputtered out as Hampton's division withdrew toward Gordonsville and Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's division retired east, leaving Sheridan's weary but victorious troopers in control of the battlefield. Hampton's men were still full of fight, however, and still sat astride Sheridan's route to Gordonsville.
Erected by Virginia Civil
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 2006.
Location. 38° 3.053′ N, 78° 4.439′ W. Marker is in Louisa, Virginia, in Louisa County. Marker is at the intersection of Louisa Road (U.S. 33) and Danne Road (County Route 682), on the right when traveling west on Louisa Road. Located at the east entrance to the K & B Gas Station (BP). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17561 Louisa Road, Louisa VA 23093, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Custer's First Last Stand (here, next to this marker); Trevilian Station Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Trevilians (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Trevillians (about 700 feet away); Netherland Tavern (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ogg Farm (approx. 1.6 miles away); Bibb's Crossroads (approx. 2.8 miles away); Green Springs (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisa.
More about this marker. On the lower left the marker displays portraits of Gens. Custer and Torbert. On the right is a map depicting this phase of the battle.
Regarding Custer Rescued.
Photographed By Pete Skillman, September 21, 2019
2. Custer Rescued Marker
The marker has weathered.
Also see . . . Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation. The foundation has worked to preserve the remaining sections of the battlefield. A detailed self-guided driving tour of the battlefield is offered. This marker is at stop seven of the tour. (Submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
3. Battle Map
Note the north seeking arrow pointed to the bottom of the map.
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
4. Trevilian Station Battlefield Driving Tour Stop Seven
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
5. Butler's Defensive Line
The Virginia Central Railroad runs through the tree line in the distance behind the houses. Confederate Gen. Butler's brigade defended along the railroad line to the north of the marker location. The Confederates were forced out of these positions when Torbert drove his command to rescue Custer.
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
6. Looking East from the Marker Location
Devin's Federal Brigade crossed the railroad and the Gordonsville Road a few yards east of this point to link up with Custer's surrounded command. Custer's troopers had fallen back from their original position at Mildred Crossing, to the east, where Nunn's Creek Road intersects the Gordonsville Road.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,780 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on March 17, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 17, 2022, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on January 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
