The Federal Debacle: “The retreat was a rout” wayside marker is on the east side of Acorn Drive in front of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church. (see map at bottom) The marker is next to the First Encounter wayside marker.
Reams’ Station
Federal Debacle “The retreat was a rout” wayside marker
Wilson-Kautz Raid
Racing the pursuing Confederate cavalry for the safety of the Union lines at Petersburg after accomplishing most of its mission, Gen. James H. Wilson’s command reached Ream’s Station about 7 a.m. June 29. Two brigades of Gen. William Mahone’s Confederate infantry immediately attacked, beginning a 10-hour battle. Wilson and Gen. August V. Kautz decided to abandon their wagons, wounded, and artillery, and cut their way through to Federal lines. At mid-afternoon Wilson issued all the ammunition the troops could carry and began burning wagons and caissons before breaking out. Just then, a coordinated Confederate attack completely collapsed the Federal lines. Kautz led his men through the woods and reached Federal lines by 9 p.m. Wilson, in the rear with the wagons, retreated south across Stony Creek. At the Blackwater River, Wilson’s men rebuilt a bridge and crossed over to safety.
“At Ream’s Station we had a little excitement. We, with just one brigade…were charged by a whole corps of cavalry. They came toward us on their horses at full speed, but their guns being wet, failed to fire. They then drew their sabers and came right on…. We fired at them and by this time they were right upon us…. One of my friends failed to work his gun just right and got part of his scalp taken off. He immediately turned and ran toward the ‘Yanks’, using very profane language, shooting at them as far as he could see them.”
– Newton Jasper Brooks, Co. A., 14th Alabama Infantry
“Those horses – coming with strained nostrils, leaping and foaming, while the riders stood in the stirrups, with saber gleaming in the sunlight, and all screaming at the top of their voices. On! On! They came. A leap and we are safe. Not a hoof has touched us. But look! The infantry has formed a hollow square, and our horses are reeling and falling, while none of our men can reach foe with saber. Back they come! The fight is over and the army is scattered.”
-Horace W. Bolton, 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry
The markers are in front of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
Location:
The markers are on the east side of Acorn Drive, a side road that closely parallels Halifax Road from Oak Grove Road to Reams Drive. They are in front of the present-day Oak Grove United Methodist Church. The Civil War Trust Battlefield parking area is about 500 yards away to the south and west.