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

White Oak Road Engagement

31 March 1865

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

1. White Oak Road Engagement Marker

Inscription. Union forces belonging to the V Corps, under Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, sought to seize the White Oak Road and sever the Confederate line of communication with Maj. Gen. George E. Pickett’s detachment near Five Forks, four miles west. From here Gen. Robert E. Lee personally supervised the counterattack to Gravelly Run by Lt. Gen. Richard H. Anderson’s corps. After a brief success, the Confederates were forced back into these entrenchments as Warren’s men gained the important roadway.

Erected 1991 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number S-81.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list.

Location. 37° 9.118′ N, 77° 32.972′ W. Marker is near Sutherland, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. It is at the intersection of White Oak Road and Clairborne Road, on the right when traveling west on White Oak Road. Marker is on the northeast corner of the intersection of White Oak Road and Clairborne Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20491 White Oak Rd, Sutherland VA 23885, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: Gravelly Run Quaker Meeting House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Raceland (approx. 1.6 miles away); Cattle (Beefsteak) Raid (approx. 1.7 miles away); White Oak Road (approx. 1.7 miles away); Burgess Mill (approx. 1.8 miles away); Hatcher's Run (approx. 1.8 miles away); Quaker Road Engagement (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Rocky Branch School (approx. 2.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sutherland.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Battle of White Oak Road (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road

CWPT White Oak Road Battlefield Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

2. CWPT White Oak Road Battlefield Sign

The White Oak Battlefield is on land owned by the Civil War Preservation Trust. The marker can be seen in the background of the photo, behind the CWPT sign.

(was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Rocky Branch School (was approx. 2.9 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Confederate Earthworks on White Oak Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

3. Confederate Earthworks on White Oak Road

These are the earthworks attacked by Warren's troops on March 31, 1865. They are located along a trail that begins near the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,537 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on November 28, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.