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

Ream's Station

Federal Debacle: "The retreat was a route"

— Wilson-Kautz Raid —

Ream's Station Marker image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

1. Ream's Station Marker

Inscription.

Ream's Station. Federal Debacle: "The retreat was a route". Racing the pursuing Confederate cavalry for the safety of the Union lines at Petersburg after accomplishing most of its mission, Gen. James H. Wilson's command reached Ream's Station about 7 a.m. June 29. Two brigades of Gen. William Mahone's Confederate infantry immediately attacked, beginning a 10-hour battle. Wilson and Gen. August V. Kautz decided to abandon their wagons, wounded, and artillery, and cut their way through to Federal lines. At mid-afternoon Wilson issued all the ammunition the troops could carry and began burning wagons and caissons before breaking out. Just then, a coordinated Confederate attack completely collapsed the Federal lines. Kautz led his men through the woods and reached Federal lines by 9 p.m. Wilson, in the rear with the wagons, retreated south across Stony Creek. At the Blackwater River, Wilson's men rebuilt a bridge and crossed over to safety., "At Ream's Station we had a little excitement. We, with just one brigade...were charged by a whole corps of cavalry. They came toward us on their horses at full speed, but their guns being wet, failed to fire. They then drew their sabers and came right on.... We fired at them and by this time they were right upon us.... One of my friends failed to work his gun just right and got part of his scalp taken off. He immediately turned and ran toward the 'Yanks', using very profane language, shooting at them as far as he could see them." - Newton Jasper Brooks, Co. A., 14th Alabama Infantry, "Those horses - coming with strained nostrils, leaping and foaming, while the riders stood in the stirrups, with saber gleaming in the sunlight, and all screaming at the top of their voices. On! On! They came. A leap and we are safe. Not a hoof has touched us. But look! The infantry has formed a hollow square, and our horses are reeling and falling, while non of our men can reach foe with saber. Back the come! The fight is over and the army is scattered." , -Horace W. Bolton, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry . This historical marker was erected by Virginia Civil War Trails. It is Near Reams in Dinwiddie County Virginia

Racing the pursuing Confederate cavalry for the safety of the Union lines at Petersburg after accomplishing most of its mission, Gen. James H. Wilson's command reached Ream's Station about 7 a.m. June 29. Two brigades of Gen. William Mahone's Confederate infantry immediately attacked, beginning a 10-hour battle. Wilson and Gen. August V. Kautz decided to abandon their wagons, wounded, and artillery, and cut their way through to Federal lines. At mid-afternoon Wilson issued all the ammunition the troops could carry and began burning wagons and caissons before breaking out. Just then, a coordinated Confederate attack completely collapsed the Federal lines. Kautz led his men through the woods and reached Federal lines by 9 p.m. Wilson, in the rear with the wagons, retreated south across Stony Creek. At the Blackwater River, Wilson's men rebuilt a bridge and crossed over to safety.

"At Ream's Station we had a little excitement. We, with just one brigade...were charged by a whole corps of cavalry. They came toward us on their horses at full speed, but their guns being wet, failed to fire. They then drew their sabers and came right on....
By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

2. Battle Map
Note the north seeking arrow pointed to the right of the map.

Click or scan to see
this page online
We fired at them and by this time they were right upon us.... One of my friends failed to work his gun just right and got part of his scalp taken off. He immediately turned and ran toward the 'Yanks', using very profane language, shooting at them as far as he could see them." - Newton Jasper Brooks, Co. A., 14th Alabama Infantry

"Those horses - coming with strained nostrils, leaping and foaming, while the riders stood in the stirrups, with saber gleaming in the sunlight, and all screaming at the top of their voices. On! On! They came. A leap and we are safe. Not a hoof has touched us. But look! The infantry has formed a hollow square, and our horses are reeling and falling, while non of our men can reach foe with saber. Back the come! The fight is over and the army is scattered."
-Horace W. Bolton, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry

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 Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1976.

Location. 37° 5.768′ N, 77° 25.245′ W. Marker is near Reams, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker is on Acorn Drive 0.1 miles south of Oak Grove Road (County Route 606), on the left when traveling south

Upper Left Inset Map image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

3. Upper Left Inset Map

Shows the CWT tour of the Wilson-Kautz Raid.

. Located in front of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Ream's Station (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Reams Station (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (about 800 feet away); North Carolina (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Reams Station (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Petersburg Railroad (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reams.

More about this marker. In the lower left of the marker is a map showing movements of the battle described in the text.

Ream's Station Markers at the Oak Grove Church image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

4. Ream's Station Markers at the Oak Grove Church

Federal Cavalry Advances Down Depot Road image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

5. Federal Cavalry Advances Down Depot Road

Looking west from the Reams Station Battlefield. Today the road is called Reams Drive (CR 606). The battlefield site is southwest of the marker location, at the intersection of Reams Drive and Halifax Road (CR 604). Civil War Preservation Trust maintains the site (scene of two battles). During the First Reams Station, the 11th Pennsylvania and 1st District of Columbia Cavalry, forming Kautz's vanguard, advanced from the west (toward the camera) and encountered Mahone's infantry near here.

Confederate Cavalry Blocks the Federals image. Click for full size.

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

6. Confederate Cavalry Blocks the Federals

Looking northeast along Stage Road (CR 669) at the high ground where Confederate Cavalry under Lomax and Wickham, supported by artillery under Pegram blocked Federal cavalry from advancing. Lomax was able to flank the 2nd Ohio and 5th New York Cavalry, thus nearly surrounding the Federal force.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,717 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.