Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
South Side Station
The Retreat Begins
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2007
1. South Side Station - The Retreat Begins
Begin the 26-stop auto driving tour of Gen. Robert E. Lees Retreat from Petersburg to Appomattox at this point. The tour covers over 100 miles and takes approximately four to five hours to complete. A map can be obtained at the nearby Visitors Center. Be sure to stop at the various pull-overs and tune your radio to AM 1610 unless otherwise noted at the sites. A three to five minute narrative will be playing which explains the importance of each location.
When Lees forces withdrew from Petersburg on the evening of April 2, 1865, they were instructed to destroy the South Side Railroad cars behind the station. The aftermath of that destruction is recorded in these period views.
[Captions:]
A damaged locomotive and tender which fell into the Appomattox River off the burned bridge that ran to the South Side R.R. machine shops. After the war the locomotive was salvaged and put back into use.
A view from the west of the station, note the wheels of the burned cars to the left of the photograph.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic
this page online
Location. 37° 14.029′ N, 77° 24.217′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is on River Street 0.1 miles east of Cockade Alley, on the right when traveling east. The marker stands at the staircase leading south from River Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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: A different marker also named South Side Station (here, next to this marker); The McIlwaine House (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, October 11, 2025
2. South Side Station Marker
Marker has been moved about 100' east. It has significantly weathered.
Another marker is no longer nearby. South Side Station (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Lee's Retreat. (Submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Civil War Traveler - Lee's Retreat to Appomattox. (Submitted on March 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2007
3. Civil War Trails markers at Petersburg Visitors Center
Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,898 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on October 19, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
