Church Road in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"Hold Five Forks at all hazards…"
General R.E. Lee
— Petersburg National Battlefield —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
1. "Hold Five Forks at all hazards…" Marker
Confederate General George Pickett's infantry and General Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry were ordered to protect the last remaining supply line, the South Side Railroad, coming into Petersburg. The infantry dug a line of entrenchments along White Oak Road through this intersection of muddy roads to help in the defense. A numerically superior force of Union infantry and cavalry under the command of General Philip Sheridan approached from the south and focused their attack on control of the Five Forks road network.
In the last few remaining hours of daylight on April 1, 1865 the Federal troops were able to envelop both ends of the southern line. Faced with being completely surrounded the Confederates were forced to retreat. Several thousand of the infantry were captured as others fled unceremoniously from the battlefield leaving behind the dream of protecting the railroad and Petersburg.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1865.
Location. 37° 8.372′ N, 77° 37.402′ W. Marker is in Church Road, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker is at the intersection of Courthouse Road
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Death of Pegram (here, next to this marker); Battle of Five Forks (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Five Forks (within shouting distance of this marker); Five Forks Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); "Advanced…repulsed…charged again…" (approx. 0.3 miles away); Siege of Petersburg — The Linchpin is Pulled (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Siege of Petersburg (approx. 0.4 miles away); Crawford's Sweep (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Church Road.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 21, 2021
2. "Hold Five Forks at all hazards…" Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 202 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
