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

Action at High Bridge

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 29, 2010

1. Action at High Bridge Marker

Inscription. During the night of 6-7 April 1865, part of Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia crossed the South Side Railroad's High Bridge three miles north of here as Union armies under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant pursued closely. After the last Confederate units crossed, elements of Maj. Gen. William Mahone's division set fire to the bridge, as well as the small wagon bridge downstream. About 7 A.M. on 7 April, Union Brig. Gen. Francis C. Barlow's 19th Maine Infantry arrived at the wagon bridge and extinguished the flames with their canteens and tents despite Confederate gunfire. Part of High Bridge burned and collapsed.

Erected 2002 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number M-32.)

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 Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 37° 16.21′ N, 78° 17.065′ W. Marker is in Rice, Virginia, in Prince Edward County. Marker is at the intersection of Prince Edward Highway (U.S. 460) and Pisgah Church Road (County Route 735), on the right when traveling east on Prince Edward Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rice VA 23966, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Battle of Sailor's Creek (a few steps from this marker); Rice’s Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Rice’s Depot (approx. 0.4 miles away); High Bridge (approx. 2.2 miles away); Cavalry Battle at High Bridge (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Cavalry Battle at High Bridge (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lee's Retreat (approx. 2.6 miles away); Prince Edward County / Nottoway County (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rice.

Also see . . .
1. High Bridge Trail State Park. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Submitted on May 30, 2010.)

2. High Bridge. National Register of Historic Places (Submitted on May 30, 2010.)

3. High Bridge. American Battlefield Trust (Submitted on November 11, 2021.)

US Rt 460 (facing north) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 29, 2010

2. US Rt 460 (facing north)

High Bridge crossing the Appomattox, near Farmville, on South Side Railroad, Va. image. Click for full size.

negative by T.H. O'Sullivan, positive by A. Gardner., circa 1865

3. High Bridge crossing the Appomattox, near Farmville, on South Side Railroad, Va.

Photograph showing the three repaired sections of the High Bridge over the Appomattox River, after a battle with the Confederates in April, 1865. Library of Congress [LC-DIG-ppmsca-12619]

Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,425 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 30, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.