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

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

The Battle of Reams Station

Afterwards

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

1. The Battle of Reams Station Marker

The "Afterwards" marker is somewhat weathered.

Inscription. While Robert E. Lee won the Battle of Reams Station, preventing the Federals from destroying more of the Petersburg (& Weldon) Railroad, and keeping much of his supply line intact, the Confederate victory was one in a series of tactical Southern triumphs that were actually strategic Union victories. General U.S. Grant, with more men and more supplies than General Lee, hit first one side of the Confederate line, then the other. Lee was forced to react, sending his already exhausted men scurrying from left to right with each new Union attack.

The siege of Petersburg lasted until April 1865 when Grant finally cut the last supply line to Petersburg, the South Side Railroad. The Confederates immediately abandoned Petersburg and Richmond. Only a week later, on April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.

Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1865.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located

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near 37° 5.649′ N, 77° 25.386′ W. Marker was near Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker could be reached from the intersection of Reams Drive (County Route 606) and Halifax Road (County Route 604), on the right when traveling west. Located in Civil War Preservation Trust's Reams Station Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Second Battle Of Reams Station (a few steps from this marker); North Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); Fighting At Reams Station (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Second Battle Of Reams Station (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Second Battle Of Reams Station (about 700 feet away); Ream's Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Second Battle of Reams Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Reams Station (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

More about this marker

Help Preserve Reams Station image. Click for more information.

2. Help Preserve Reams Station

Click here for details of CWPT's efforts.
Click for more information.

. The background of the marker is a drawing of the Union army marching into Petersburg, with the caption, The Confederates may have won the battle here at Reams Station, but ultimately Robert E. Lee was not able to prevent the Federals from cutting his supply line. After eight more months of siege and Federal attack, Lee was forced to evacuate Petersburg and Richmond. This image from Harper's Weekly shows the Union army marching into Petersburg on April 2, 1865.

Also see . . .
1. Reams Station. National Park Service site detailing the phases of the battle. (Submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Reams Station Preservation Efforts. The Civil War Preservation Trust continues their work ensuring the battlefield at Reams Station is preserved. This site offers not only maps and additional information about the battle, but "clean" copies of the markers on site. Look on the right under Slideshows for the Reams Station Interpretive Trail. (Submitted on November 25, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007

3. The Battle of Reams Station Marker

Marker in cleaner days.

The Afterwards Wayside image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

4. The Afterwards Wayside

CWPT Reams Station Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

5. CWPT Reams Station Battlefield

The Trust owns parts of the battlefield both north and south of Reams Drive. At present only the section north of the road is interpreted.

The Reams Station Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

6. The Reams Station Battlefield

Looking northwest from the intersection of Halifax Road and Reams Drive. This section of the battlefield includes the traces of Federal earthworks. The works were overrun in the later phases of the battle.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,868 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on March 11, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 27, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.