Louisa in Louisa County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Oakland Cemetery
Confederates at Rest
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
1. Oakland Cemetery Marker
Battle of Trevilian StationHere in Oakland Cemetery, beneath small, rectangular stone markers, rest as many as 60 Confederate dead from the Battle of Trevilian Station. Most of them were never identified.
Immediately inside the gate are the graves of the three Towles brothers, all of whom served in Company A, 4th Virginia Cavalry, and died of battle wounds. Sgt. Robert C. Towles was mortally wounded on the morning of June 11, 1864, the first day of the Battle of Trevilian Station, and died in Louisa Court House five days later. The Rev. John Towles had the remains of his other two sons, J. Vivian and James H. Towles, disinterred from other battlefields and buried here.
Also here is the grave of Lt. Col. Joseph L. McAllister, commander of the 7th Georgia Cavalry, who was killed in action while defending Trevilian Station on the afternoon of June 11, 1864. He had refused to surrender and was cut down in a hail of Union bullets. Trevilian Station was the first battle for the 7th Georgia Cavalry, which suffered 38% casualties on the first day, including nearly all of the regiment's officers. Capt. John P. Hines, commander
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
2. Trevilian Station Battlefield Driving Tour Stop Nine
this page online
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1870.
Location. 38° 1.723′ N, 78° 0.69′ W. Marker is in Louisa, Virginia, in Louisa County. Marker is on West Street (County Route 666), on the right when traveling west. Located at the entrance gate to Oakland Cemetery. This is stop nine of the driving tour of Trevilian Station Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Louisa VA 23093, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Decisive Confederate Victory (here, next to this marker); Second Louisa County Courthouse Threshold (approx. half a mile away); Louisa Court House (approx. half a mile away); Patrick Henry's Home (approx. half a mile away); Confederate Memorial (approx. half a mile away); In Memory of All Veterans (approx. half a mile away); John Mercer Langston Birthplace (approx. 0.6 miles away); Hugh Hammond Bennett (1881-1960) (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisa.
More about this marker. Flanking the text are portraits of Sgt. Robert C. Towles (left) and Lt. Col. Joseph L. McAllister (right).
Regarding Oakland Cemetery. This is one of several markers interpreting the Battle of Trevilian Station,
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
3. Daughters of the Confederacy Memorial
This monument is dedicated
with affection, reverence
and undying remembrance
to the memory of the men
who gave their lives at
The Battle of Trevilians
June 11-12, 1864
And who lie buried here
The Mineral Chapter
United Daughters of the Confederacy
1982
Also see . . . Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation. The foundation has worked to preserve the remaining sections of the battlefield. A detailed self-guided driving tour of the battlefield is offered. This marker is at stop nine of the tour. (Submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
4. Confederate Burial Plots
As mentioned on the marker, simple rectangular stones mark these graves, compared to the more elaborate head stones nearby.
Photographed By Craig Swain, January 12, 2008
5. The Towles Brothers Grave Site
Inscribed "Sons of Rev. John & S.E. Towles," this obelisk marks the resting place of Robert C. (1843-1864), J. Vivian (1839-1863), and James (1845-1864) Towles. All served in Company A, 4th Virginia Cavalry, and all were killed in battle. Based on the dates of death, J. Vivian met his end during the Bristoe Campaign in the fall of 1863. James was killed during the early phases of the Overland Campaign of 1864. And Robert was mortally wounded at Trevilian Station.
Photographed By Bradley Owen
6. Towles Brothers Gravestone
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,043 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on March 18, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 20, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on September 12, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
