Appomattox in Appomattox County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

U.S. Colored Troops At Appomattox

Photographed by Mike McKeown, April 25, 2025

1. U.S. Colored Troops at Appomattox Marker

Inscription. On the morning of 9 April 1865, Union forces closed in on Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The Confederates attacked Union cavalry near here, trying to break through to the west. Their advance faltered when Union infantry, including two brigades of U.S. Colored Troops, arrived on the field. Among the 5,000 Black soldiers who helped block Lee’s escape were formerly enslaved men, free-born African Americans, and foreign-born individuals of African descent. Lee surrendered to Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant later that day. African Americans long commemorated 9 April as a day of liberation, celebrating the role played by Black soldiers in the final defeat of Lee’s army.

Erected 2022 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-42.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • 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 April 9, 1865.

Location. 37° 22.38′ N, 78° 49.052′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It is on Old Courthouse

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Road (Virginia Route 24) 0.7 miles west of Gordon Drive, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Appomattox VA 24522, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in 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 walking distance of this marker: Battle of Appomattox Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant’s Pursuit (within shouting distance of this marker); “Message of Peace” (within shouting distance of this marker); The 24th Corps "Flying Hospital" (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shattered Home (about 700 feet away); Mackenzie's Fight (about 800 feet away); "By Loyalty and Bravery" (approx. 0.2 miles

Photographed by Mike McKeown, April 25, 2025

2. U.S. Colored Troops at Appomattox Marker

marker next to parking area for Grant's HQ

away); Fate of the 11th Maine (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Also see . . .
1. State to Dedicate Marker at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park for Actions of U.S. Colo. Virginia Department of Historic Resources (Submitted on April 30, 2025.)

2. United States Colored Troops at Appomattox. National Park Service (Submitted on April 30, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2025, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.