Saxe in Charlotte County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Carrington's Mill
"The D_ _ _ Rebels"
— Wilson-Kautz Raid —
In June 1864, to deny Gen. Robert E. Lee the use of the South Side R.R. and the Richmond and Danville R.R., Gen. Ulysses S. Grant sent Gen. James H. Wilson and Gen. August V. Kautz south of Petersburg on a cavalry raid to destroy track and rolling stock. Rufus Barringer’s North Carolina brigade attacked the Federal rear guard about two miles north of here at a plantation on the hill behind you. The cavalry action began about the same time as the Federal attack on the Staunton River railroad bridge about four miles south.
“The rebels came up with our rear guard about 4 p.m., and were fighting them until dark, while General Kautz and the first brigade were engaging them near the railroad bridge across the Staunton River.” - Trooper Henry Norton, 8th New York Cavalry. “The fight took place right around us, the firing commenced at Overby’s Store and we drove them over Roanoke Creek at the mill. Imagine my joy while I was standing talking to one of the [Yankee] wretches, the firing commenced; I did not know our cavalry was in pursuit, and I exclaimed, “Oh! What’s that?” “The D_ _ _ rebels,” replied the Yankee, and in an instant he was mounted and flying, I shouting “Hurrah for the rebels” and in my perfect frenzy of joy screaming to the Yankees I hoped they would be shot before they could leave our yard. Before they got out of the outer gate there were a dozen Confederate soldiers around me asking information about the enemy. They were covered with dust and dirt, but I told them they were splendid and glorious and I don’t know what other foolishness I said, for I was nearly crazy with excitement and anxiety”. - Margaret Watkins’ letter to brother Joel Watkins, August 9, 1864
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1864.
Location. 36° 55.756′ N, 78° 39.827′ W. Marker is in Saxe, Virginia, in Charlotte County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Hailey Road (County Route 759) and Sylvan Hill Road (County Route 612). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saxe VA 23967, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wilson-Kautz Raid (approx. 3.1 miles away); Roanoke Station (approx. 3.1 miles away); Wilson’s orders were to destroy the Richmond and Danville Railroad to the greatest extent possible (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Battle of Staunton River Bridge (approx. 3.9 miles away); Drakes Branch (approx. 5.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.7 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 5.7 miles away); The War of 1812 / War of 1812 Opposition — John Randolph (approx. 6.1 miles away).
Also see . . . Virginia Civil War Trails - Wilson-Kautz Raid. Virginia is for Lovers website entry (Submitted on July 6, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,288 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 21, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.