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

The Last Positions

By Laura Troy, July 23, 2008

1. The Last Positions Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the 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. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 22.074′ N, 78° 50.355′ W. Marker is near Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. Marker is at the intersection of Virginia Route 26 and County Route 677, on the right when traveling south on State Route 26. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eldon (a few steps from this marker); Custer's Third Brigade

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

By Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

2. Markers on the West Edge of Appomattox

(approx. 0.7 miles away); Walker's Last Stand (approx. 0.7 miles away); Confederate Artillery Position (approx. 0.7 miles away); Carver-Price School (approx. ¾ mile away); Winonah Camp / Mozella Price Home (approx. ¾ mile away); Appomattox County Eternal Flame (approx. one mile away); Appomattox County Units (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

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 1,315 times since then and 3 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.