Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Battle of White Oak Road
The Union Counterattack
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006
1. The Union Counterattack Marker
As the fight progressed, the Confederates met stiffening resistance. Lee and his subordinates realized they had too few troops to hold their advanced position. They determined to withdraw to the slight earthworks constructed by the Federal soldiers just south of this point. In the meantime, Union forces regrouped and were bolstered by reinforcements. At about 2:30 p.m., with everything in place, Union General Warren ordered a counterattack. General Robert E. Lee stood near this gun emplacement with General Bushrod R. Johnson and watched the advance of the Union columns.When the final attack started, Federal General Joshua L. Chamberlain wrote, “we went with a rush, not minding ranks or alignments, but with open front to lessen loss from the long-range rifles…” Chamberlain’s men struck “Hunton’s brigade in front and for a few minutes there is a seething wave of counter currents, then rolling back, leaving a fringe of wrecks, - and all is over. We pour over the works, swing to the right and drive the enemy into their entrenchments along the Claiborne Road, and then establish ourselves across the White Oak Road
this page online
Union forces had secured a lodgment along the road, and were now in between the Confederates here and their compatriots a few miles to the west at Five Forks, preventing either group of Southerners from reinforcing the other. However, Union General Warren deemed that the Confederate defenses on the Claiborne Road were too strong to assault, and he ended the fighting for the day. Casualties had been heavy: 1,865 Federals and an estimated 800 Confederates had fallen, but Federal troops now held the White Oak Road. The end was near.
Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Civil.
Location. 37° 9.052′ N, 77° 32.755′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker can be reached from White Oak Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is on the Battle of White Oak Road walking trail. The trail starts from the parking lot at the corner of White Oak Road and Clairborne Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (within shouting distance of this marker); a different
2. Civil War Preservation Trust
More about this marker. The lower left of the marker contains a picture of attacking Federals with the caption, “This R. F. Zogbaum drawing entitled “From Five Forks to Appomattox” does not specifically depict the fighting along the White Oak Road, but illustrates how the final Federal attack may have appeared that late afternoon of March 31, 1865. Shown are men of Humphreys’ Second Corps which supported Chamberlain’s assault as they do battle with Confederates just east of this point.” Above this
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006
3. Marker on the Battle of White Oak Road Walking Trail
The gun emplacement from which Generals Robert E. Lee and Bushrod R. Johnson watched the advance of the Union columns can be seen in the photo behind the marker.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Virtual Tour by Markers of the White Oak Road Battlefield. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Also see . . .
1. White Oak Road. The Civil War Siege of Petersburg. (Submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Saving America’s Threatened Civil War Battlefields. Civil War Preservation Trust. (Submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006
4. White Oak Road Earthworks
These fortifications were occupied by Confederate troops during the March 31, 1865 Battle of White Oak Road. They are located near the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006
5. The Battle of White Oak Battle Map from Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006
6. The Battle of White Oak Road Walking Trail Map
The location of "The Union Counterattack" marker is indicated on this map of the walking trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,560 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on March 30, 2009. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
