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

Sutherland Station

Confederate Defense Crumbles

— Lee’s Retreat —

Sutherland Station Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

1. Sutherland Station Marker

Inscription. The Union attack that broke the back of the Confederate defense of Petersburg and forced Gen. Robert E. Lee to evacuate the Army of Northern Virginia from the city happened here April 2, 1865. You are standing at the end of the Confederate right flank, facing south toward the Federal left flank. The South Side Railroad, Lee’s last supply line, ran just behind you.

On Sunday, April 2, as the main Union assault ruptured the Confederate defenses at Petersburg, ten miles east, a detachment under Gen. John R. Cooke tried to protect the railroad here. Cooke’s thin infantry line stretched from this point east along the road for almost a mile to Ocran Church, while a handful of artillery was posted here next to Sutherland Tavern. About 11:00 a.m., Union infantry under Gen. Nelson A. Miles began attacking from the south; three assaults failed, but a fourth that struck Cooke’s left flank near the church in mid-afternoon turned the tide for the Federals. Cooke lost about 600 men, mostly prisoners, and the South Side Railroad fell into Union hands. The surviving Confederates escaped north on Namozine Road.

Erected by Virginia Civil

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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 April 1790.

Location. 37° 11.818′ N, 77° 33.89′ W. Marker is in Sutherland, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. It is at the intersection of Namozine Road (Virginia Route 708) and Cox Road (U.S. 460), on the left on Namozine Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sutherland VA 23885, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Southside Virginia,

and specifically in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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 7 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured

Sutherland Station Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 10, 2009

2. Sutherland Station Map

as the crow flies: A different marker also named Sutherland Station (here, next to this marker); The Battle of Sutherland (a few steps from this marker); Appomattox Campaign (Sutherland Station) (about 700 feet away); Engagement at Sutherland Station (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Rocky Branch School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Col. John Banister (approx. 1.2 miles away); White Oak Road Engagement (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sutherland.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fork Inn (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Rocky Branch School (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Colonel John Banister (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); The Battle of White Oak Road (was approx. 3.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was approx. 3.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was

Sutherland Station and other markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

3. Sutherland Station and other markers

Several markers are located at this site.

approx. 3.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was approx. 3.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was approx. 3.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was approx. 3.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. The marker features a battle map on the right, and photos of Confederate Gen. John Cooke and Union Gen. Nelson Miles.

Also see . . .
1. Lee's Retreat to Appomattox. (Submitted on March 8, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Lee’s Retreat. (Submitted on March 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. The Battle of Sutherland’s Station. The American Civil War website. (Submitted on January 22, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Sutherland Station Battle Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

4. Sutherland Station Battle Map

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 24, 2007

5. Fork Inn

This structure was know as the Sutherland Tavern on April 2, 1865. During the battle, Confederate artillery was located here.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2008. This page has been viewed 2,790 times since then and 68 times this year. Last updated on August 24, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on March 8, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 8, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.