Suffolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Civil War Cavalry Skirmish

By Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

1. Civil War Cavalry Skirmish Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Federal forces occupied Suffolk on 12 May 1862 and built earthworks around the town; Brig. Gen. John J. Peck took command in October. Cavalry vedettes, or mounted pickets, were posted some distance outside the fortifications to warn of Confederate attacks. During the winter of 1862-1863, small detachments of Federal and Confederate troops harassed each other west of Suffolk. Near here, about 4:00 P.M. on 28 Dec. 1862, Confederate cavalrymen attacked Union vedettes at Providence Church and drove them back toward Suffolk. Federal reserves repulsed the attack and forced the Confederates west several miles to their main body of cavalry.

Erected 1998 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number UT-28.)

Location. 36° 47.004′ N, 76° 38.006′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Providence Road and Pruden Boulevard (U.S. 460), on the left when traveling north on Providence Road. The marker is located in the parking lot of the Providence United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Suffolk VA 23434, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

Civil War Cavalry Skirmish Marker at Providence Rd & Pruden Blvd. image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

2. Civil War Cavalry Skirmish Marker at Providence Rd & Pruden Blvd.

other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Isle of Wight County / Nansemond County (approx. 3.1 miles away); Siege of Suffolk (approx. 3.1 miles away); a different marker also named Siege of Suffolk (approx. 3.6 miles away); Dumpling Island (approx. 4.1 miles away); Early History of Suffolk (approx. 4.2 miles away); First Suffolk Church (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Site of the First Church (approx. 4.3 miles away); Riddick’s Folly (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Categories. • War, US Civil •

Deserted House Battlefield (4 miles southwest) image. Click for full size.

By Bernard Fisher

3. Deserted House Battlefield (4 miles southwest)

The region west of Suffolk, between the Blackwater and Nansemond Rivers, was a no-man's land. In late January 1863, Confederate Gen. Roger Pryor ventured into this area with 1,800 men on a foraging expedition. A Union force of 4,800 infantry & cavalry, under Gen. Michael Corcoran, marched out from Suffolk and attacked the Confederate camp near Kelly's Store. After a stiff fight, Pryor retreated back across the Blackwater River. Total casualties exceeded 180.

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Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,597 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 22, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.