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

Dinwiddie Court House

Turning North

— Wilson-Kautz Raid —

Dinwiddie Court House CWT Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. Dinwiddie Court House CWT Marker

Inscription. In June 1864, to deny Gen. Robert E. Lee the use of the South Side R.R. and the Richmond and Danville R.R., Gen, Ulysses S. Grant sent Gen. James H. Wilson and Gen. August V. Kautz south of Petersburg on a cavalry raid to destroy track and rolling stock. After burning stores at Ream’s Station on June 22, the Federals rode south for eight miles to make the Confederates think the Weldon R.R. (to N.C.) was the object of the raid. Wilson’s men turned west to Dinwiddie Court House to intersect the South Side R.R. Gen. W.H.F. “Rooney” Lee’s Confederate cavalry harassed Wilson’s rear guard from Ream’s Station for ten miles to this place. The Confederates reported taking at least ten prisoners. The Federals remained here until 4 p.m., destroying some county records and appropriating local livestock before turning north toward the South Side R.R.

“[The Federals] remained until four o’clock occupying themselves during their stay in destroying the county records, liberating prisoners, stealing poultry, etc.” - Confederate news report, Richmond Daily Dispatch, June 24, 1864

“About five p.m. our advance guard came up with them and had a skirmish, taking ten prisoners, killing and wounding some and losing slightly.” - Confederate news report, Richmond Daily Dispatch, June 24, 1864

“At
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the little village of Dinwiddie Court House, the enemy appeared in greater force, but was repulsed by the Twenty-Second New York, which formed on each side of the road, and as the First Vermont fell back by the road, received the enemy with a sharp fire.” - George G. Benedict, 1st Vermont 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 1864.

Location. 37° 4.648′ N, 77° 35.241′ W. Marker is in Dinwiddie, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. It is at the intersection of Sycamore Drive and Boydton Plank Road (U.S. 1), on the left when traveling south on Sycamore Drive. The CWT marker is located on the lawn in front of Dinwiddie Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dinwiddie VA 23841, 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 the North Atlantic Region,

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Battle of Dinwiddie Court House (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Early Education in Dinwiddie County (a few steps from this marker); Dinwiddie Confederate Monument (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Battle of Dinwiddie Court House

Dinwiddie Courthouse built in 1851. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Dinwiddie Courthouse built in 1851.

This Courthouse was active through 1998, and is now being restored as a museum.

(a few steps from this marker); The War of 1812 / Winfield Scott (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Scott's Law Office (about 400 feet away); Dinwiddie Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Vaughan Road (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dinwiddie.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Early Education in Dinwiddie County (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. On the lower right is a painting of "Dinwiddie Court House during the Civil War." – The Tharpe Collection

Also see . . .
1. Civil War Traveler. Wilson-Kautz Raid. (Submitted on April 2, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. Virginia's Retreat. Wilson-Kautz Raid. (Submitted on April 2, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

3. CWSAC Battle Summary. Staunton River Bridge. (Submitted on April 2, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,722 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.