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

The Last Positions

Photographed by Laura Troy, July 23, 2008

1. The Last Positions Marker

Inscription. On 8 Apr. 1865, Gen. Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia, retreating from Petersburg toward Pittsylvania County, reached the hills to the northeast. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Federal army, pursuing Lee to the south, blocked him here. At dawn on 9 April, Palm Sunday, Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon's corps, with Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, assaulted the Union line. Initially successful, the attempted breakout failed when additional Union infantry arrived on the field. That afternoon, Lee rode through the lines here to surrender his army.

Erected 1997 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number MG-2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 8, 1865.

Location. 37° 22.074′ N, 78° 50.355′ W. Marker is near Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It is at the intersection of Virginia Route 26 and County Route 677, on the right when traveling south on Virginia Route 26. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office

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area: Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eldon (a few steps from this marker); Robertson House Fight (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Robertson House Fight (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of Appomattox Station (approx. 0.7 miles away); Appomattox Campaign (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Appomattox Station (approx. 0.7 miles away); Walker's Last Stand (approx. 0.7 miles away); Confederate Artillery Position (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Another marker is no longer

Markers on the West Edge of Appomattox image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

2. Markers on the West Edge of Appomattox

nearby. Custer's Third Brigade (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Lee's Retreat. Map and tour guide to key locations along the retreat route. (Submitted on August 14, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2008, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,716 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 14, 2008, by Laura Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 20, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.