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

Civil War Cavalry Skirmish

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

1. Civil War Cavalry Skirmish Marker

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.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 12, 1862.

Location. 36° 47.004′ N, 76° 38.006′ W. Marker is in Suffolk, Virginia. It is in Holy Neck. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Hampton Roads,

specifically in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

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.

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At least 8 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. 3.9 miles away); Early History of Suffolk (approx. 4.2 miles away); Nansemond River Crossing (approx. 4.2 miles away); First Suffolk Church (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Site of the First Church (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Suffolk.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Reid's Ferry (was approx. 3.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

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

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

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

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

Photographed 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.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,154 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 22, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.