Near Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of Reams Station
The Petersburg (& Weldon) Railroad
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
1. The Battle of Reams Station - The Petersburg & Weldon Railroad Marker
By the time of the Civil War, the Petersburg Railroad accessed the coast of North Carolina and the interior of the Deep South. At Weldon, N.C., the Petersburg Railroad connected with the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, which enabled cargo from this line to be rapidly transferred from the coast to the war front. Other connecting railroads linked the Petersburg Railroad to lines leading to the Deep South.
By the spring of 1864, the Petersburg Railroad was of even greater importance because it was one of the only two main supply arteries for General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. All types of necessary war material, including food for troops and fodder for animals, passed along this corridor, making it and the South Side Railroad Lieutenant General U.S. Grant's two primary objectives during the Petersburg campaign.
The
this page online
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 February 10, 1830.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 5.766′ N, 77° 25.298′ W. Marker was near Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. It could be reached from the intersection of Reams Drive (County Route 604) and Halifax Road (County Route 606), on the right when traveling west. Located in Civil War Preservation Trust's Reams Station Battlefield. The parking area is off Reams Drive. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Southside Virginia, and specifically in Central Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Second Battle Of Reams Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Battle of Reams Station (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named
Other markers no longer nearby. Ream's Station (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The background of the marker is a drawing of The destruction of the Petersburg (& Weldon) Railroad by Union troops in
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
3. The Railroad Wayside
Note the Oak Grove Church in the background.
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 Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
4. Halifax Road
The modern Halifax Road passes along the original roadbed for the railroad (since moved to the east). In front of the Oak Grove Church, the railroad entered a cut. This cut prevented the movement of Federal artillery during 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 2,716 times since then and 20 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, 4. submitted on November 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.
