Powhatan Court House

April 4, 1865

— Lee’s Retreat —

Powhatan Court House CWT Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 26, 2009

1. Powhatan Court House CWT Marker

Inscription.
After Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant broke through Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s lines at Petersburg on April 2, 1865, Lee ordered the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. The Army of Northern Virginia retreated west on several roads, with Grant in pursuit. Lee planned to turn south and join Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina, but Grant kept part of his force between Lee and his objective. On April 9, surrounded at Appomattox Court House, Lee surrendered.

Gen. Richard S. Ewell led his infantry column out of the Confederate capital on the morning of April 3, marching southwest to Amelia Court House, to rendezvous with the rest of the army. His subordinate, Gen. G.W. Custis Lee (Gen. Robert E. Lee’s eldest son), soon followed with reserves and heavy artillerymen armed as infantry. Sailors and marines joined his command later.

On reaching Genito Road, Ewell turned north to Tomahawk Baptist Church, where he bivouacked nearby for the evening. Lee’s wagon train, however. chose a parallel route, following the Buckingham Road through Coalfield Station (Midlothian), then here to Powhatan Court House. Farther west

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near Meadeville, the train crossed the Appomattox River at Clementown Bridge and then was attacked by Federal cavalry before reaching Amelia Court House.

Confederate Pvt. William L. Wilson, attempting to reach his unit, the 12th Virginia Cavalry, also passed by here. He wrote: “Passing Genito we proceed to Powhatan Court-House and thence on the Clementown Road soon over taking an immense wagon train under [quartermaster] Maj. Maynard Post. … The train is endeavoring to get to Gen. Lee’s army and was ordered from Richmond direct to Amelia C.H. but as yet to cross the river. … We travel with the wagons for several hours when reaching the vicinity of Clementown we secure quarters for the night. The more I see of matters the less hopeful I become.”

Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1865.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 32.496′ N, 77° 55.126′ W. Marker was in Powhatan,

Powhatan Court House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 26, 2009

2. Powhatan Court House

Virginia, in Powhatan County. It was on Old Buckingham Road (Virginia Route 13) 0.1 miles south of Courthouse Tavern Lane, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 3880 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan VA 23139, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in Virginia’s Piedmont,

in Central Virginia,

and in the Richmond Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Powhatan Court House (here, next to this marker); Powhatan Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Memorial to Powhatan Servicemen (a few steps from this marker); The Court House (a few steps from this marker); The Powhatan Troop

Powhatan Court House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021

3. Powhatan Court House Marker

Unfortunately, the marker has weathered significantly.

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Courthouse Tavern / Atkinson's Hotel / The Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Norton Grape (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vegetable Garden (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Powhatan.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.

Also see . . . Powhatan Court House Historic District. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on May 18, 2009.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,806 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on March 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on August 23, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.