Near Louisa in Louisa County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
First Contact
“a considerable fight”
— The Battle of Trevilian Station —
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
1. First Contact Marker
Having reached Louisa Court House on June 10, 1864, Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry divisions bivouacked around the Virginia Central Railroad and across Union Gen. Philip H. Sheridan’s route to Gordonsville. About 3 a.m. on June 11, Gen. William C. Wickham’s Virginia cavalry brigade left camp and rode up the Marquis Road (Rte. 669). The troopers captured a scouting party of the 7th Michigan Cavalry about a mile north of town and then continued north toward Clayton’s Store. At daybreak they encountered the 7th Michigan's pickets arrayed on the opposite bank of Nunn's Creek.
The Virginians attacked, firing the first shots of the Battle of Trevilian Station, and skirmished for about 45 minutes in what a member of the 4th Virginia Cavalry later described as “a considerable fight.” Gen. George A. Custer, camped a short distance to the north, heard the engagement and ordered the 1st Michigan to reinforce the 7th, causing the Virginians to break off the engagement and withdraw to Louisa Court House. By 8:45 a.m., Custer’s entire Michigan Brigade and Pennington's Battery of horse artillery were in motion, headed down Nunn’s Creek Road to its junction with the Gordonsville Road west of Louisa Court House.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 38° 2.568′ N, 78° 0.3′ W. Marker is near Louisa, Virginia, in Louisa County. Marker is on Ellisville Drive (County Route 669), on the right when traveling south. Located at stop two on the driving tour of Trevilian Station Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisa VA 23093, 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. Decisive Confederate Victory (approx. one mile away); Oakland Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Second Louisa County Courthouse Threshold (approx. 1.2 miles away); Patrick Henry's Home (approx. 1.2 miles away); Louisa Court House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); In Memory of All Veterans (approx. 1.3 miles away); John Mercer Langston Birthplace (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisa.
More about this marker. In the upper center the marker displays portraits of Gens. Williams Wickham and George Custer. A map on the right details the place names and roads mentioned in the marker's text.
Regarding First Contact.
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
2. Battle Area Map
Also see . . .
1. 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 two of the tour. (Submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Battle of Trevilian Station Virtual Tour by Markers. A set markers that document the Battle of Trevilian Station, June 11-12, 1864. The order of appearance is generally aligned to the National Parks Service and Trevilian Station Foundation driving tours. (Submitted on January 21, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
3. Trevilian Station Preservation Efforts. Civil War Preservation Trust continues efforts to set aside portions of the battlefield. Their site discussing the effort offers a wealth of background information about the battle, an article by noted historian Eric Wittenberg, and excellent maps of the battle. (Submitted on November 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
3. Trevilian Station Battlefield Driving Tour Stop Two
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
4. Marquis Road
Looking north from the marker location down what is today Ellisville Drive, the road crosses typical rolling terrain of Virginia's Piedmont. Custer's command camped just north of here, and advanced down the road initially to make contact with Wickham's Virginians.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 15, 2012
5. First Contact Marker
Marker was seen in a damaged condition on this 2012 visit.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,422 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on February 23, 2018, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on September 16, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
