Near Rice in Prince Edward County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Double Bridges

Lee’s Retreat

— April 6, 1865 —

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007

1. Double Bridges Marker on Lee’s Retreat

Inscription.
In this ground, the Confederate column and wagon train became bogged down while crossing Sailor’s Creek. The Union forces in pursuit then assailed the Southerners and captured a large number of prisoners and wagons before darkness put an end to the fighting.

Next Stop
Rice’s Depot
5.1 miles

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 19.603′ N, 78° 15.517′ W. Marker is near Rice, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. It is on Lockett Road (Virginia Route 619), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5137 Lockett Road, Farmville VA 23901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically 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

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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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Double Bridges (here, next to this marker); Sailor’s Creek (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Lockett House (approx. 0.6 miles away); General Wheaton's First Division Assault (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Federal Artillery Barrage (approx. 2.3 miles away); Battle of Sailor's (Sayler's) Creek (approx. 2.3 miles away); a different marker also named Overton/Hillsman House (approx. 2.3 miles away); Rock Formations At Sailor's Creek (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rice.

Other markers no longer nearby. Lockett House (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been permanently removed); Crossing Little Sailor's Creek (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); Assaulting the Confederate Battle Line (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); Overton/Hillsman House (was

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007

2. Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park

The marker is located near this park which preserves the site of the last major battle of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

approx. 2.3 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hillsman House (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); The Final Clash: With Fate Against Them (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been permanently removed); Victory or Death (was approx. 2.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. Below the main text of the marker is a map of the retreat showing important stops along the route.

Regarding Double Bridges. Part of a driving tour following General Robert E. Lee's route from Petersburg to Appomattox. While visiting the site a more detailed description is played on short range radio on AM1610. Or call 1-800-6-retreat.

Also see . . .
1. Lee's Retreat to Appomattox. Virginia Civil War Trails. (Submitted on September 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Sailor's Creek State Park. Virginia State Parks website. (Submitted on September 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Double Bridges Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010

3. Double Bridges Marker

Double Bridges - Confluence of Creeks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026

4. Double Bridges - Confluence of Creeks

This is the confluence of Sayler's (Sailor's) Creek - nearest the camera - and Little Sailor's Creek (flows from the opposite side of the point of land ending just under the modern bridge). The Two bridges required to span these two creeks at this point gave the site its name. Concrete 20th century remnants remain.

Little Sailor's Creek Defunct Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 7, 2026

5. Little Sailor's Creek Defunct Bridge

This is the concrete span, long removed from service, over Little Sailor's Creek. A shorter span would have bridged Sailor's Creek out of the frame just to the left, using the finger of land between the two creeks as a link between the bridges - hence "double bridges."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,146 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on February 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on June 12, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on February 19, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.