Ford in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Ford's Depot
The Destruction Begins
Wilson-Kautz Raid
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, May 10, 2009
1. Ford's Depot CWT Marker
Inscription.
Ford's Depot. The Destruction Begins. 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. The Wilson-Kautz raiders reached this point at sundown on June 22, and destroyed two trains and military supplies. A passenger train from the west stopped just short of the station, reversed course and backed all the way to Burkeville (about 35 miles) where news of the raid was telegraphed to Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond. Late in the evening, Gen. W.H.F. “Rooney” Lees cavalry fought a brief skirmish with the raiders., “The [Confederate] train was hailed by Colonel Lewis of Dinwiddie, who informed us that the enemy were at Fords. We backed about three miles, then sent forward a crank which did not return. Then four men on foot went toward Fords. We gave them ample time to scout the railroad and report, but failing to do so the train was at once moved to this place [Burkeville]. I could not learn the force of the enemy; only heard it was large.” - Major Robert G. Mosby, C.S.A., telegram to Richmond, “About sundown the Southside railroad was reached a little west of Sutherlands, and destruction of ties, rails, culverts and bridges began in earnest. The night was soon illuminated by the destroying fires. Our march now lay along the railroad, and was continued as far as Fords, where we halted about eleven p.m., after capturing two trains, one passenger and one freight. The engines hating been set on fire by the men with rails and boards piled around them, made the night hideous with their unearthly shrieks, which continued for several hours, disturbing the rest, which weary and sleepy, we sought in vain to enjoy.” – Louis Bouydre 5th New York Cavalry
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. The Wilson-Kautz raiders reached this point at sundown on June 22, and destroyed two trains and military supplies. A passenger train from the west stopped just short of the station, reversed course and backed all the way to Burkeville (about 35 miles) where news of the raid was telegraphed to Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond. Late in the evening, Gen. W.H.F. “Rooney” Lees cavalry fought a brief skirmish with the raiders.
“The [Confederate] train was hailed by Colonel Lewis of Dinwiddie, who informed us that the enemy were at Fords. We backed about three miles, then sent forward a crank which did not return. Then four men on foot went toward Fords. We gave them ample time to scout the railroad and report, but failing to do so the train was at once moved to this place [Burkeville]. I could not learn the force of the enemy; only heard it was large.” - Major Robert G. Mosby, C.S.A., telegram to Richmond
“About sundown the Southside railroad was reached a little west of Sutherlands, and destruction of ties, rails, culverts and
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bridges began in earnest. The night was soon illuminated by the destroying fires. Our march now lay along the railroad, and was continued as far as Fords, where we halted about eleven p.m., after capturing two trains, one passenger and one freight. The engines hating been set on fire by the men with rails and boards piled around them, made the night hideous with their unearthly shrieks, which continued for several hours, disturbing the rest, which weary and sleepy, we sought in vain to enjoy.” – Louis Bouydre 5th New York 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° 8.963′ N, 77° 44.127′ W. Marker is in Ford, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. It is at the intersection of Baltimore Road and Zion Road, on the right when traveling north on Baltimore Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ford VA 23850, 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.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Digging In (was approx. 6.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. On the upper center is as sketch of troopers at work destroying track. On the lower right are photographic depictions of "Destroying railroads included heating and "wrapping" the rails."
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,183 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
