Church Road in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"Hold Five Forks at all hazards…"
General R.E. Lee
| — | Petersburg National Battlefield | — |
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
1. "Hold Five Forks at all hazards…" Marker
Confederate General George Pickett's infantry and General Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry were ordered to protect the last remaining supply line, the South Side Railroad, coming into Petersburg. The infantry dug a line of entrenchments along White Oak Road through this intersection of muddy roads to help in the defense. A numerically superior force of Union infantry and cavalry under the command of General Philip Sheridan approached from the south and focused their attack on control of the Five Forks road network.
In the last few remaining hours of daylight on April 1, 1865 the Federal troops were able to envelop both ends of the southern line. Faced with being completely surrounded the Confederates were forced to retreat. Several thousand of the infantry were captured as others fled unceremoniously from the battlefield leaving behind the dream of protecting the railroad and Petersburg.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1865.
Location. 37° 8.372′ N, 77° 37.402′ W.
this page online
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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Death of Pegram (here, next to this marker); Battle of Five Forks (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Five Forks (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
2. "Hold Five Forks at all hazards…" Marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Digging In (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 572 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
