Saylers Creek Battlefield is located in Amelia, Prince Edward and Nottoway counties in rural southside Virginia.

Sailors Creek Battlefield- A Historical OverviewMidterm ProjectAdvanced World HistoryAndrew GrilesOctober 8th, 2010

Saylers Creek Battlefield is located in Amelia, Prince Edward and Nottoway counties in rural Southside Virginia. It was renamed Sailors Creek Battlefield by the Historical Society in 1985. It was thought to be named originally by the landowner on which the battle was fought. It is the sight of one of the most pivotal battles fought in the civil war on April 6th, 1865.Information Board at Saylers Creek Battlefield

The Battle of Saylers Creek was important to the heritage of our country for four main reasons:It was the last major battle before the surrender of Lees army, It is considered the largest surrender in the field of an army without terms that followed, Many of the greatest and most illustrious leaders of both armies clashed together for the last time on this field of conflict, andIn the engagement at the Hillsmans Farm, the Confederate army involved both seamen, Marines, and armed government employees and heavy artillerymen. It was Lees sons (George Washington Custis Lee) only battle during the war.Importance of Saylers Creek Battlefield4Events leading to the Battle of Saylers Creek:

April 3-5, 1865:

Gen. Lee withdraws his Army from Petersburg and Richmond, divides them into three columns and heads towards Amelia Court House, where his plans were to re-supply his army and travel to North Carolina to join forces with Confederate Gen. Johnstons Army of Tennessee. Because of the rain-soaked and swollen streams, travel was difficult, and the majority of the wagon trains were caught and destroyed by the Union Army. Events leading to the Battle of Saylers Creek:

April 3-5, 1865: Gen. Lee withdraws his Army from Petersburg and Richmond, divides them into three columns and heads towards Amelia Court House, where his plans were to re-supply his army and travel to North Carolina to join forces with Confederate Gen. Johnstons Army of Tennessee. Because of the rain-soaked and swollen streams, travel was difficult, and the majority of the wagon trains were caught and destroyed by the Union Army. Lees troops arrived in Amelia Courthouse, but the supplies never appeared and a day was wasted while the Confederate soldiers gathered food throughout the countryside. This delay advantaged the Union cavalry while they positioned themselves seven miles below Amelia and blocked Lees route south. Finding his route blocked, Lee ordered his columns to detour the Union Army along the South Side Railroad to Farmville where supply trains from Lynchburg awaited.

5Lees troops arrived in Amelia Courthouse, but the supplies never appeared and a day was wasted while the Confederate soldiers gathered food throughout the countryside. This delay advantaged the Union cavalry while they positioned themselves seven miles below Amelia and blocked Lees route south. Finding his route blocked, Lee ordered his columns to detour the Union Army along the South Side Railroad to Farmville where supply trains from Lynchburg awaited.6The order of the Confederate line of march on this detour to Farmville was: Gen James Longstreets 1st and 3rd Corps along with its wagon train in the lead; Gen. Richard H Andersons Corps; Gen. R. S. Ewells Reserve Corps, made up of the Richmond Garrison; and in the rear, the main Confederate wagon train. Gen. John B. Gordons 2nd Corps was behind the wagons and acted as the armys rearguard.The order of the Confederate line of march on this detour to Farmville was: Gen James Longstreets 1st and 3rd Corps along with its wagon train in the lead; Gen. Richard H Andersons Corps; Gen. R. S. Ewells Reserve Corps, made up of the Richmond Garrison; and in the rear, the main Confederate wagon train. Gen. John B. Gordons 2nd Corps was behind the wagons and acted as the armys rearguard.7Longstreets Corps (with which Lee rode) passed through the bottomlands without much difficulty, however for Andersons Corps and Ewells Reserve Corps, there was trouble. The Union cavalry employed hit and run tactics against them which slowed the line of march down and caused a widened gap between Longstreet and Anderson. Anderson realized this and halted his line to confer with Gen. Ewell, the senior officer on the field.Longstreets Corps (with which Lee rode) passed through the bottomlands without much difficulty, however for Andersons Corps and Ewellss Reserve Corps, there was trouble. The Union cavalry employed hit and run tactics against them which slowed the line of march down and caused a widened gap between Longstreet and Anderson. Anderson realized this and halted his line to confer with Gen. Ewell, the senior officer on the field.8It seems Ewell couldnt make up his mind about what to do, so Anderson instructed his men to prepare a defensive line and make ready to receive an attack. Gordons men had been slowed down by the wagon trains following Ewell. Fearing for their safety, Ewell sent the wagon trains on an alternate route and Gordons Second Corps followed them, leaving Ewells men as the rearguard of the retreating column.It seems Ewell couldnt make up his mind about what to do, so Anderson instructed his men to prepare a defensive line and make ready to receive an attack. Gordons men had been slowed down by the wagon trains following Ewell. Fearing for thir safety, Ewell sent the wagon trains on an alternate route and Gordons Second Corps followed them, leaving Ewells men as the rearguard of the retreating column.9Gen. Ewells Line of Defense

Several columns of the Confederate Army found the marching pace difficult to keep up with and soon became separated from the columns of Lee and Longstreet. The union cavalry struck the wagons and in a desperate attempt to save supplies Ewell detoured the wagon train down Jamestown Road. It was here that the Union troops began their assault but the Confederate infantry mounted a countercharge that forced the Union line back across the creek. Eventually, the Unions fired cannons, enveloping Ewells troops and forced them to surrenderUnion cannons aimed towards the southeast and the Confederate soldiers at the Hillsman House.

Gordons troops became bogged down at the double bridges crossing over the intersection of Big and Little Sailors Creeks. Union troop0s under Gen. Humphreys attacked Gordons forces in a sharp bloody encounter and by nightfall, the battle had ended. 300 wagons and 1700 men were captured. The Confederates fled towards Rices Station across Big Sailors Creek.Gordons troops became bogged down at the double bridges crossing over the intersection of Big and Little Sailors Creeks. Union troop0s under Gen. Humphreys attacked Gordons forces in a sharp bloody encounter and by nightfall, the battle had ended. 300 wagons and 1700 men were captured. The Confederates fled towards Rices Station across Big Sailors Creek.13Pointing in the direction of the battlefield. Position of the Union troops.

It has been said that Gordons abandonment of the main body of the army is what caused the ensuing disaster at Saylers Creek for the Confederates. It has been suggested that Ewell was at fault for not informing Gordon of his intentions, and that the rearguard followed the wagon trains because they had not received instructions to join the commands under Anderson and Ewell.It has been said that Gordons abandonment of the main body of the army is what caused the ensuing disaster at Saylers Creek for the Confederates. It has been suggested that Ewell was at fault for not informing Gordon of his intentions, and that the rearguard followed the wagon trains because they had not received instructions to join the commands under Anderson and Ewell.15Saylers Creek Battlefield

The Hillsman House was a field hospital for Union officers who were wounded during battle. Regular servicemen had to be treated outside and were not allowed to stay inside. The house was occupied by the Hillsman family, but they were forced to live in the basement during the time the Union occupied it in April 1865.Front of Hillsman House

Inside the Hillsman House- Room where the Union officers stayed during their recovery.

Inside the addition of the Hillsman House

Saylers Creek Battlefield Hillsman House

The Lockett House was another field hospital. The grounds in front was where the battle between Humphreys Union army and Gordons Confederate Second Corps took place. For those that escaped capture at Saylers Creek, they existed long enough to fight again once more on August 9th in Appomattox Court House before the confederates surrendered.The Lockett House was another field hospital. The grounds in front was where the battle between Humphreys Union army and Gordons Confederate Second Corps took place. For those that escaped capture at Saylers Creek, they existed long enough to fight again once more on August 9th in Appomattox Court House before the confederates surrendered.22Lockett House- another field hospital

Standing in front of the Lockett House (newly restored)

Lee lost more that 7700 men and eight generals. This is the largest number of men to ever surrender in a single action on this continent. After such a reduction in troops and supplies, Lees situation was hopeless and seventy-two hours later he surrendered in Appomattox.Lee lost more that 7700 men and eight generals. This is the largest number of men to ever surrender in a single action on this continent. After such a reduction in troops and supplies, Lees situation was hopeless and seventy-two hours later he surrendered in Appomattox.25Battle at Little Saylers Creek

This is a painting of the Battle at Little Saylers Creek. The Union troops are in the foreground. They are utilizing cannons and are firing towards the Confederate troops in the background who were without any artillery.26References:

Thirty-six Hours before Appomattox; by Chris Calkins, 1980.Lees Retreat, The Final Campaigns Brochure, Virginia Civil War TrailsSailors Creek Battlefield 72 hours before the end Brochure by Virginia Department of Conservation and RecreationReferences:Thirty-six Hours before Appomattox; by Chris Calkins, 1980.Lees Retreat, The Final Campaigns Brochure, Virginia Civil War TrailsSailors Creek Battlefield 72 hours before the end Brochure by Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation27Blues25051.533