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

The Battle of White Oak Road

Moving into Position

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

1. Moving into Position Marker

Inscription. With their success at Lewis Farm, Union troops gained a foothold on one of Lee’s supply routes, the Boydton Plank Road. It was strategically necessary for the Federals to control this road because it was a major route Confederate General Robert E. Lee used to transport supplies to his army from North Carolina. On March 30, General Warren pushed his men as close to the Confederate defense line along White Oak Road as possible and had them build slight earthworks.

Concerned about the Federal movement, Robert E. Lee ordered reinforcements to assist General Anderson along the White Oak Road. One unit sent to help, the 60th Alabama, reached White Oak Road then spent March 30th “on the roadside, in momentary expectation of battle,” as one member of the regiment remembered. “The fighting … did not amount to much more than heavy skirmishing, which was kept up throughout the day.”

The morning of March 31, 1865, General Robert E. Lee rode out to the White Oak Road sector of his line. Meeting with General Anderson and Major General Bushrod R. Johnson, Lee learned that the Federal troops in front of them were deployed with the left part of their lines unprotected. Lee determined to strike the Federals where they were vulnerable.

Erected by Civil War Preservation Trust

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1865.

Location. 37° 9.086′ N, 77° 32.858′ W. Marker is unreadable. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker can be reached from White Oak Road, on the left when traveling west. Marker is on the Battle of White Oak Road walking trail. The trail starts from the parking lot at the corner of White Oak Road and Clairborne Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named The Battle of White Oak Road (about 500 feet away); White Oak Road Engagement (about 600 feet away); Gravelly Run Quaker Meeting House (approx. 1½ miles away); Raceland (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

More about this marker. The

Civil War Preservation Trust image. Click for more information.

2. Civil War Preservation Trust

background of the marker features a picture of Union troops with the caption, “On the morning of March 31, 1865, the 61st New York (shown here), under Brigadier General Nelson Miles, moved into the fortifications along the Boydton Plank Road off to the southeast, relieving Brigadier General Charles Griffin’s division. This maneuver allowed Griffin to shift towards the south to support the divisions of Brigadier Generals Romeyn Ayres and Samuel Crawford as they moved opposite the Confederate entrenchments.”

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Virtual Tour by Markers of the White Oak Road Battlefield. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . .
1. White Oak Road. The Civil War Siege of Petersburg. (Submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Saving America’s Threatened Civil War Battlefields. Civil War Preservation Trust. (Submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

The Battle of White Oak Road Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

3. The Battle of White Oak Road Marker

Earthworks on White Oak Road image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

4. Earthworks on White Oak Road

These fortification were used by the Confederates and the Federals during the March 31, 1865 Battle of White Oak Road. They are located near the marker.

The Battle of White Oak Road Walking Trail Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 22, 2006

5. The Battle of White Oak Road Walking Trail Map

The location of the "Moving into Position" marker is indicated on this map of the walking trail.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 20, 2021

6. The Battle of White Oak Road Marker

Marker is significantly unreadable.

Appreciation Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 20, 2021

7. Appreciation Plaque

Located on the south side of White Oak Road. Plaque is at the sharp left turn in the trail almost immediately after crossing the road when heading south.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 20, 2021

8. Appreciation Plaque

As viewed from the south shoulder of White Oak Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,333 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on October 20, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on March 30, 2009. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 28, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 20, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.