The Reams Station Battlefield is 10 miles south of Petersburg, Virginia on Halifax Road. (map).
Like may Civil War battlefields, this was the scene of more than one fight. On June 22, 1864 Union cavalry burned the railroad station and facilities here a the beginning of the Wilson-Kautz Raid. On June 29, the exhausted raiders returned here only to find strong Confederate forces instead of the welcoming Union infantry they had been told to expect. The Union cavalry was surrounded and almost destroyed, losing their guns, wagons and many prisoners.
On August 25 another Union disaster took place here. Hancock’s Union 2nd Corps was tearing up the railroad line when they were attacked by a Confederate force under A.P. Hill. Badly positioned defensive works and poor performance by the Union troops resulted in their collapse and rout, losing 9 guns, 12 colors, and many prisoners.
Today the Civil War Trust has saved a small part of the battlefield, with a walking trail, a monument to the State of North Carolina and several wayside markers.
Facing west along Reams Station Road, with the parking area and walking trail on the right.
At the Civil War Trust site
Afterwards
Exposed Position of the Federal Artillery wayside marker
North Carolina monument
Oak Grove United Methodist Church wayside marker
The Petersburg (& Weldon) Railroad wayside marker
At the Oak Grove Church
Federal Debacle “The retreat was a rout” wayside marker
First Encounter wayside marker
Facing east along Reams Station Road. Halifax Road is at the tree line in the distance.