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

"Their doom was sealed"

- Captain Homer Plimpton, 39th Illinois Infantry

— Appomattox Court House National Historical Park —

"Their doom was sealed" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

1. "Their doom was sealed" Marker

Inscription. Nicknamed "The Western Brigade", the First Brigade, First Division, 24th Corps, Army of the James, led by Colonel Thomas Osborn, advanced through this area on the morning of April 9, 1865. This battle-tested brigade consisted of the 39th Illinois, 62nd and 67th Ohio, 85th and 199th Pennsylvania infantry regiments. These soldiers completed the incredible feat of marching over 30 miles in 24 ours to reach the battlefield, arriving just in time to relieve the hard-pressed Federal cavalry.

The Western Brigade paid a price for their advance, suffering 96 men killed, wounded, and captured while striking one of the final blows to the Army of Northern Virginia. Their actions slammed the door shut on the last Confederate route of escape along the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road.

"We emerged from the woods with a regular western yell, pouring a volley into the astonished rebels... Our sudden appearance... told them that their doom was sealed."

Erected 2025 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1865.

Location. 37° 22.48′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

78° 48.857′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It can be reached from Gordon Drive 0.1 miles north of Old Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 24), on the left when traveling north. Marker is within Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, on the Coleman House Trail - accessible only on foot from the trail head on Gordon Drive. 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: Born enslaved, I died a free woman. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fate of the 11th Maine (about

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

2. "Their doom was sealed" Marker

View facing west on the Coleman House Trail. This is the view the visitor has when hiking out to the Coleman House site. This marker is the first interpretive signage a visitor will encounter on this out-and-back trail; five other markers are beyond it, up the trail around the ruin of the Coleman House chimney. The Western Brigade advanced towards the camera during the action described in the text.

400 feet away); Shattered Home (about 500 feet away); The 24th Corps "Flying Hospital" (about 500 feet away); Mackenzie's Fight (about 500 feet away); “Message of Peace” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grant’s Pursuit (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battle of Appomattox Station (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

Also see . . . Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. National Park Service (Submitted on January 20, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 74 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.