Near Courtland in Southampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Major Joseph E. Gillette

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

1. Major Joseph E. Gillette Marker

Inscription. The "Southampton Cavalry" was formed just north of this site in May, 1861 at what was the Gillette Farm, Cedar Lawn. Joseph E. Gillette was elected captain. The Company eventually became Company A of the 13th Virginia Cavalry. Gillette was promoted to major in the regiment. He died here November 1, 1863, after being wounded at Brandy Station. The company served gallantly until the end of the Civil War as part of General J.E.B. Stuart's cavalry in General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

Erected 1981 by Southampton County Historical Society. (Marker Number U-123.)

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 month for this entry is May 1861.

Location. 36° 41.41′ N, 76° 58.853′ W. Marker is near Courtland, Virginia, in Southampton County. It is on Camp Parkway (Virginia Route 58) 0.4 miles west of Delaware Road, on the right when traveling west. The marker is in front of Riverdale Elementary School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 31023 Camp Pkwy, Courtland VA 23837, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Marle Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pauline Cauthorne Morton (1912-2004)

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 2.4 miles away); Camp Family Homestead (approx. 2½ miles away); Franklin Memorial Park (approx. 2.6 miles away); Virginia Native Tribes/First Americans (approx. 3½ miles away); Lyons State Theatre (approx. 3½ miles away); The Flood of September 1999 (approx. 3½ miles away); Della Irving Hayden (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Courtland.

Other markers no longer nearby. Confederate Monument (was approx. 2.6 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); General Thomas' Birthplace (was approx. 2.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Major Joseph E. Gillette Marker on Camp Pkwy (facing west) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

2. Major Joseph E. Gillette Marker on Camp Pkwy (facing west)

Major Joseph E. Gillette Marker at Riverdale Elementary School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 18, 2009

3. Major Joseph E. Gillette Marker at Riverdale Elementary School

Cedar Lawn Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 21, 2026

4. Cedar Lawn Cemetery

Major Gillette's family cemetery is maintained in the fields behind the school.

Major Joseph E. Gillette Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 21, 2026

5. Major Joseph E. Gillette Grave

Behind Riverdale Elementary

Cedar Lawn House Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, March 21, 2026

6. Cedar Lawn House Site

Beside the dirt farm road leading back to Major Gillette's grave is a distinct large pit on a slightly raised ridge - the pit is indicative of the house's cellar and foundation. Note the green patch of grass at left and the shorter lengths of light brown growth on the house site, compared to the tall golden stalks surrounding it.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,349 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.