Hopewell, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Baylor’s Farm
Prelude to Petersburg
| — | Lee vs. Grant - The 1864 Campaign | — |
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2007
1. Baylor’s Farm - Prelude to Petersburg marker
This marker is part of the Lee vs Grant - The 1864 Campaign of the Virginia Civil War Trails.
Never before tested in battle, Hinks’ black soldiers pressed forward with a shout, but a blast of “spherical case, canister and musketry” sent the attackers to the rear. Undaunted, the Federals regrouped and resumed the assault, led by the 22nd United States Colored Troops. Their gallant charge shattered the Confederate line.
This minor engagement – less than two hours long and costing slightly more than 300 Union casualties out of 3500 participants – delayed Smith’s advance on Petersburg. By defending its position at Baylor’s Farm, the Confederate army gained the time it needed to strengthen Petersburg’s
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“…when the command was given to us, ‘Charge bayonets! Forward double quick!’ the black column rushed forward, raising the battle yell, and in a few moments more we mounted the rebel parapets. And to our great surprise, we found that the boasted Southern chivalry had fled….”
- Sgt. Major Milton M. Holland, U.S.C.T.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 15, 1864.
Location. 37° 16.186′ N, 77° 19.101′ W. Marker is in Hopewell, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Oaklawn Boulevard (Virginia Route 36) and U.S. 295, on the right on Oaklawn Boulevard. Marker is in the parking lot of the City of Hopewell Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4100 Oaklawn Boulevard, Hopewell VA 23860, United
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2007
2. Baylor's Farm Battle Map
Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kippax Plantation (approx. 0.7 miles away); T12 High Explosive (HE) Bomb (approx. 1.8 miles away); M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (approx. 1.9 miles away); Pershing II Battlefield Support Missile and Launcher (approx. 1.9 miles away); M32B3 Recovery Vehicle (approx. 1.9 miles away); Virginia’s First World War I Monument (approx. 2.1 miles away); American Civil War (approx. 2.3 miles away); American Revolution (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hopewell.
More about this marker. An illustration on the lower left is “Twenty-Second Negro Regiment, Duncan’s Brigade, carrying the First Line of Confederate Works before Petersburg, June 15, 1864.” - sketch by Edwin Forbes.
A portrait of Milton M. Holland is to the left of his quoted passage. A map detailing the action described in the text is on the lower right.
Also see . . .
1. Civil War Trails – Lee vs. Grant: The 1864 Overland Campaign Tour. (Submitted on March 6, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. Baylors Farm, June 15. The Civil War Siege of Petersburg. (Submitted on December 21, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,997 times since then and 86 times this year. Last updated on July 26, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 27, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on November 30, 2007, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
