Sheppards in Buckingham County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Clifton
Lees Retreat
| | April 8, 1865 | |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 26, 2007
1. Clifton Marker on Lees Retreat
The white house where Gen. Grant spent the night on April 8, 1865 stood across the street several years before this photo was taken, but is no longer there.
Next Stop
New Store
4.4 miles
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list.
Location. 37° 23.469′ N, 78° 29.14′ W. Marker is in Sheppards, Virginia, in Buckingham County. It is on Francisco Road (Virginia Route 636), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farmville VA 23901, 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 the North Atlantic Region, 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 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Eve of Appomattox (within shouting distance of this marker); New Store Village (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Clifton (within shouting distance of this marker); March to Appomattox (approx. 2.4 miles away); Millbrook (approx. 4 miles away); a different marker also named New Store
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. March to Appomattox (was approx. 2.4 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); New Store (was approx. 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 Clifton. 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 . . . Lee's Retreat to Appomattox. Virginia Civil War Trails. (Submitted on September 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Craig Swain, April 18, 2010
2. Clifton Marker
Photographed by Evan Dwyer
3. Clifton Photograph
The adjacent Civil War Trails marker, also named Clifton, provides a photograph of the historic house.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025
4. Clifton in 2025
Clifton - the house - is on the south side of the road west of the marker. It is not visible from the marker's pull-off, as trees obscure it from that vantage point year-round. However, the house is easily visible on the left from the road when driving from this Lee's Retreat Marker to the next stop of the Lee's Retreat Trail at New Store.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025
5. Clifton
The name "Clifton" is on the left gate column shown here. The house is a private residence. View is from the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,085 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on April 28, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 30, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
