Sayler's Creek Battlefield
Encyclopedia
Sayler's Creek Battlefield near Farmville, Virginia
was the site of the Battle of Sayler's Creek
of the American Civil War
. Robert E. Lee
's army was retreating from the Richmond
to Petersburg
line. Here, on April 6, 1865, Union General Philip Sheridan
cut off and beat back about a quarter of Lee's army. Eight Confederate
generals surrendered, and 7,700 men were lost. This was the last major engagement of the war; Lee's surrender at Appomattox
occurred three days later. A portion of the landmarked battlefield area is included in Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park
.
The battle was composed of three separate engagements, which may be termed the Battle of Hillsman's Farm, the Battle of Marshall's Cross Roads (or Battle of Harper's Farm), and the Battle of Lockett's Farm (or Battle of Double Bridges). The Hillsman house served as a hospital for both Confederate and Union troops. Bloodstains still remain on the floor from when it served as a hospital after the battles. The Lockett house is in its original state. The Christian house is also there.
Areas in the NHL site include four portions of 800 acres (3.2 km²), 215 acre (0.8700749 km²), 5 acres (20,234.3 m²), and 0.6 acres (2,428.1 m²). These are indicated on topographical maps included in the Virginia DHR provided version of the NRHP documents. Only 321 acres (1.3 km²) are covered by the current state park.
It is located on Virginia
Routes 617, 618, and 619 in Farmville
and Burkeville
, in Amelia
and Prince Edward
counties in Virginia. From 1865 to the area's nomination for the National Register in 1984, the area saw little development, and remained much as it was during the battles. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1985.
Costumed interpreters station the park throughout the year. Living history
performers are active in the park during the anniversary of the battle every April.
The land was originally named in the 18th century for a farmer named Saylor. During the Civil War
, the name was changed to Sayler. Some official records called it Sailor, which is what the Commonwealth of Virginia uses in its name for the related park.
Farmville, Virginia
Farmville is a town in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 6,845 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Prince Edward County....
was the site of the Battle of Sayler's Creek
Battle of Sayler's Creek
-External links:* * : Maps, histories, photos, and preservation news...
of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
's army was retreating from the Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
to Petersburg
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
line. Here, on April 6, 1865, Union General Philip Sheridan
Philip Sheridan
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S...
cut off and beat back about a quarter of Lee's army. Eight Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
generals surrendered, and 7,700 men were lost. This was the last major engagement of the war; Lee's surrender at Appomattox
Battle of Appomattox Courthouse
The Battle of Appomattox Court House, fought on the morning of April 9, 1865, was the final engagement of Confederate States Army General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia before it surrendered to the Union Army under Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and one of the last battles of the American...
occurred three days later. A portion of the landmarked battlefield area is included in Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park
Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park is a park in Virginia. It includes a portion of the landmarked Sayler's Creek Battlefield, an area of that was the site of the 1865 Battle of Sayler's Creek in the American Civil War...
.
Areas in the NHL site include four portions of 800 acres (3.2 km²), 215 acre (0.8700749 km²), 5 acres (20,234.3 m²), and 0.6 acres (2,428.1 m²). These are indicated on topographical maps included in the Virginia DHR provided version of the NRHP documents. Only 321 acres (1.3 km²) are covered by the current state park.
It is located on Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
Routes 617, 618, and 619 in Farmville
Farmville, Virginia
Farmville is a town in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 6,845 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Prince Edward County....
and Burkeville
Burkeville, Virginia
Burkeville is a town in Nottoway County, Virginia, United States. The population was 489 at the 2000 census. The source of the town name is disputed. The town is located on the crossroads of U.S. Routes 360 and 460....
, in Amelia
Amelia County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 11,400 people, 4,240 households, and 3,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile . There were 4,609 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
and Prince Edward
Prince Edward County, Virginia
Prince Edward County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 23,368. Its county seat is Farmville.-Formation and County Seats:...
counties in Virginia. From 1865 to the area's nomination for the National Register in 1984, the area saw little development, and remained much as it was during the battles. It was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1985.
Costumed interpreters station the park throughout the year. Living history
Living history
Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to reenact a specific event in history, living history is...
performers are active in the park during the anniversary of the battle every April.
The land was originally named in the 18th century for a farmer named Saylor. During the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the name was changed to Sayler. Some official records called it Sailor, which is what the Commonwealth of Virginia uses in its name for the related park.