Near Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Second Battle Of Reams Station

Maelstrom of Battle

Second Battle Of Reams Staition Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 19, 2024

1. Second Battle Of Reams Staition Marker

Inscription.

Second Battle Of Reams Station. Maelstrom of Battle. "We sat with our guns... (The Confederates) had to advance 200 yards over a nice level sod, and when they got close enough they screamed that womanlike scream and with fixed bayonets...our batteries opened with us and we moved them with grape and canister... but on they came within twenty paces of our line." , , Pvt. Daniel Chisholm, 116th Pennsylvania, USA, During the Second Battle of Reams Station, Confederate infantry moved across the field behind you and toward Union trenches in this area. Part of the Union line was anchored in a deep railroad cut. Today, modern Halifax Road (to your left front) follows the wartime railroad tracks. Across the intersection in front of you, a Union line extended back, creating a U-shaped position. Some troops repurposed earthworks from a previous fight, contributing to this irregular position., Lt. Francis A. McGuigan of the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry, whose Union regiment fought around the intersection, wrote about the Confederate charge. "They began to advance in our front from the woods in great numbers...the fire of our men staggering them somewhat, but not breaking their lines." The regiment lost two commanders within minutes, but withstood the first assault along with an artillery barrage before withdrawing., To your right, approximately half-a-mile to the south, Confederate cavalry prepared to attack, aiming for the other side of the U-shaped Union line. The Confederate horsemen under Gen. Wade Hampton, opened the battle, and fought on foot, advancing against Union cavalry under Gen. David M. Gregg. According to one officer, the 12th Virginia Cavalry "never stopped, but with cocked pistols in hand, made straight for the breastworks, and leaping over them fairly won the race. The Federals fired one volley and, then throwing down their arms, fled precipitately." The dismounted cavalry, working with Hill's infantry, put pressure on the Union line and impacted the outcome of the battle., (captions) , Wounded at First Manassas and Gettysburg, Wade Hampton later rose to command the cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia following the death of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart., Capt. Garrett Nowlen commanded the 116th Pennsylvania at Reams Station and was killed during the battle. All images courtesy Library of Congress

"We sat with our guns... (The Confederates) had to advance 200 yards over a nice level sod, and when they got close enough they screamed that womanlike scream and with fixed bayonets...our batteries opened with us and we moved them with grape and canister... but on they came within twenty paces of our line."
—Pvt. Daniel Chisholm, 116th Pennsylvania, USA

During the Second Battle of Reams Station, Confederate infantry moved across the field behind you and toward Union trenches in this area. Part of the Union line was anchored in a deep railroad cut. Today, modern Halifax Road (to your left front) follows the wartime railroad tracks. Across the intersection in front of you, a Union line extended back, creating a U-shaped position. Some troops repurposed earthworks from a previous fight, contributing to this irregular position.

Lt. Francis A. McGuigan of the 116th Pennsylvania Infantry, whose Union regiment fought around the intersection, wrote about the Confederate charge. "They began to advance in our front from the woods in great numbers...the fire of our men staggering them somewhat, but not breaking their lines."

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The regiment lost two commanders within minutes, but withstood the first assault along with an artillery barrage before withdrawing.

To your right, approximately half-a-mile to the south, Confederate cavalry prepared to attack, aiming for the other side of the U-shaped Union line. The Confederate horsemen under Gen. Wade Hampton, opened the battle, and fought on foot, advancing against Union cavalry under Gen. David M. Gregg. According to one officer, the 12th Virginia Cavalry "never stopped, but with cocked pistols in hand, made straight for the breastworks, and leaping over them fairly won the race. The Federals fired one volley and, then throwing down their arms, fled precipitately." The dismounted cavalry—working with Hill's infantry—put pressure on the Union line and impacted the outcome of the battle.

(captions)
Wounded at First Manassas and Gettysburg, Wade Hampton later rose to command the cavalry in the Army of Northern Virginia following the death of Gen. J.E.B. Stuart.

Capt. Garrett Nowlen commanded the 116th Pennsylvania at Reams Station and was killed during the battle. All images courtesy Library of Congress

Erected by American

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 19, 2024

2. Second Battle Of Reams Staition Marker

Battlefield Trust.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is August 25, 1864.

Location. 37° 5.647′ N, 77° 25.324′ W. Marker is near Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. It can be reached from Reams Drive (Virginia Route 606) 0.1 miles west of Halifax Road ( Route 604), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured

Perkins gravesite image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 19, 2024

3. Perkins gravesite

Located in the clump of trees just north of this marker.

as the crow flies: North Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Second Battle Of Reams Station (about 300 feet away); Fighting At Reams Station (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Second Battle Of Reams Station (about 600 feet away); Ream's Station (about 800 feet away); Second Battle of Reams Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Reams Station (approx. 4.1 miles away); Halligan Park (approx. 4.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Battle of Reams Station (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Ream's Station (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of Reams Station (was approx. ¼ mile away but

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has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Reams Station Battlefield. American Battlefield Trust (ABT) (Submitted on March 19, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 404 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 19, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on March 20, 2024, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.