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

The Final Clash: With Fate Against Them

— Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park —

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012

1. The Final Clash: With Fate Against Them Marker

Inscription.
"There goes a chivalrous fellow. Let's give him three cheers."

Near this site were positioned Confederate forces commanded by General Joseph B. Kershaw. They were mainly from Mississippi and Georgia and were slightly dug in behind hastily built rail brestworks. In the final moments of the battle, Union cavalry, led by Colonel Peter Stagg, and Wheaton's infantry attacked Kershaw's right and rear. Retiring some 400 yards from this point to the rear, General Kershaw was eventually forced to surrender his command.

Taken prisoner and eventually turned over to Union cavalry General George A. Custer's headquarters, the next morning the Northern cavalryman would serenade his "guests" with tunes like "Dixie." General Kershaw remarked as Custer left the next morning, "There goes a chivalrous fellow. Let's give him three cheers." The Federal band responded now with "Bonnie Blue Flag" which was followed by a chorus of "Rebel Yells."

Erected 2012 by Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently

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removed. It was located near 37° 18.232′ N, 78° 13.633′ W. Marker was in Rice, Virginia, in Amelia County. It could be reached from Saylers Creek Road (Virginia Route 617) 0.6 miles north of Scuffletown Road ( Route 620), on the right when traveling north. Located along the Confederate overlook loop trail. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice VA 23966, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

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 2 miles of this location, measured as the

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012

2. The Final Clash: With Fate Against Them Marker

crow flies: General Wheaton's First Division Assault (approx. ¼ mile away); Rock Formations At Sailor's Creek (approx. 0.4 miles away); Battles of Sailor's Creek (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Federal Artillery Barrage (approx. half a mile away); Marshall’s Crossroads (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Sailor's (Sayler's) Creek (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Overton/Hillsman House (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Holt's Corner (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rice.

Other markers no longer nearby. Ewell’s Line of Defense (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Assaulting the Confederate Battle Line (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Victory or Death (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Crossing Little Sailor's Creek (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed); Overton/Hillsman House (was approx. half a mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hillsman House (was approx. 0.6 miles away

Sailor's Creek Battlefield image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 12, 2012

3. Sailor's Creek Battlefield

but has been permanently removed); Holt’s Corner (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . . Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park. Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation (Submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,342 times since then and 42 times this year. Last updated on February 7, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.