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

Born enslaved, I died a free woman.

— Appomattox Court House National Historical Park —

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

1. Born enslaved, I died a free woman. Marker

Inscription. Hannah Reynolds lived and worked in bondage to the Coleman family. Their home was caught between two sides as Federal columns engaged Confederate forces in this area. On April 8, 1865, the Coleman family fled to safety. Hannah stayed behind.

As fighting intensified on the morning of April 9, an artillery shell tore through the Coleman home and struck Hannah's arm.

A Federal surgeon amputated the wounded arm with Reynolds' husband at her side. She died three days later. Because of General Robert E. Lee's surrender on April 9, she and the other 4,600 formerly enslaved residents of Appomattox County were free.

"As she lay upon her bed, a solid shot had passed through one wall of the house at just the ight height to strike her arm, and then passed out through the opposite wall. Her arm was very large and fleshy and a concave wound was made corresponding to the size and shape of the ball. I hardly knew which the more to pity, the wife in her intense physical pain, or the husband in his helpless sympathy, both almost dead with fear." - J.E.M. Wright, Chaplain, 8th Maine
,br> (caption) Path of a shell that passed through
Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online
the Coleman House, possibly the one that struck Hannah.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is April 9, 1865.

Location. 37° 22.487′ N, 78° 48.932′ W. Marker is in Appomattox, Virginia, in Appomattox County. It can be reached from Gordon Drive 0.1 miles west 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

Marker at Trail Loop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

2. Marker at Trail Loop

This marker sits at the apex of a short loop that surrounds the Coleman House site, near the furthest reach of the Coleman House Trail, opened in 2025. The trail is out-and-back so either direction, left or right, at this juncture will take the visitor to the remaining markers on the trail before returning back to this point for the walk back to Gordon Drive.

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: Fate of the 11th Maine (a few steps from this marker); Shattered Home (within shouting distance of this marker); The 24th Corps "Flying Hospital" (within shouting distance of this marker); Mackenzie's Fight (within shouting distance of this marker); "Their doom was sealed" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); “Message of Peace” (about 700 feet away); Grant’s Pursuit (about 700 feet away); Battle of Appomattox Station (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Appomattox.

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

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

Coleman House Chimney Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 20, 2025

3. Coleman House Chimney Ruins

This pile of stone rubble from the base of the Coleman House chimney is the primary visible remains of the house where Hannah Reynolds was fatally wounded and died. It is on the opposite side of the trail loop from the marker, with a marker about the 24th Corps' Flying Hospital immediately adjacent to the ruins.

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 65 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.