Battle of Appomattox Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Appomattox Station |
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| Part of the American Civil War | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States (Union) |
 Confederate States (Confederacy) |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| George Armstrong Custer David Hunter Strother Edward Ord Philip H. Sheridan |
Reuben Lindsay Walker Martin Witherspoon Gary |
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| Units involved | |||||||
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Army of the Potomac, James and Shenandoah:
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| Strength | |||||||
| 4,000 | 3,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 5–32 killed 40–86 wounded 3 missing |
Unknown killed and wounded; ~1,000 captured |
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The Battle of Appomattox Station was a key fight during the American Civil War. It happened on April 8, 1865, in Appomattox County, Virginia. This battle was between Union Army cavalry, led by George Armstrong Custer, and Confederate artillery units. The Confederates were commanded by Reuben Lindsay Walker. This fight was important because it helped trap the main Confederate army.
After this battle, the famous surrender at Appomattox Court House happened the very next day.
Contents
Why This Battle Was Important
The Confederate Retreat Begins
After many battles around Petersburg, Virginia, the Confederate army under General Robert E. Lee had to leave their defenses. They were running low on food and supplies. The Union army chased them closely. Many Confederate soldiers left the army or were captured. A big loss happened at the Battle of Sailor's Creek on April 6, 1865.
The Race to Appomattox
General Lee's army marched for three nights in a row. They tried to stay ahead of the Union forces. Union cavalry, led by Major General Philip Sheridan, rode about 30 miles (48 km) on April 8. Their goal was to capture Confederate supply trains. These trains were at Appomattox Station. Capturing them would cut off Lee's escape routes.
The Battle Unfolds
Capturing the Supply Trains
Around 2:00 p.m. on April 8, Union cavalry reached Appomattox Station. They found three unguarded Confederate trains. These trains were full of food, weapons, and other supplies. They had been sent from Lynchburg, Virginia for Lee's army. The Union soldiers quickly forced the train engineers to surrender.
Other Union cavalry arrived to help secure the trains. Soldiers who knew how to operate trains moved them to a safer area. This area was about 5 miles (8 km) east, within Union lines. One Confederate train managed to escape towards Lynchburg. Any remaining cars from that train were burned.
The Fight for the Artillery
Near the station, the Confederates had parked many artillery guns. These were Lee's reserve cannons. Brigadier General Lindsay Walker commanded them. About 500 cavalrymen and some artillerymen, armed with muskets, guarded these guns.
When Walker heard about the Union cavalry at the station, he started shelling them. Custer's men found where the firing came from, about 2 miles (3 km) away. They attacked Walker's artillery park. Walker's men had about 25 guns ready to defend themselves. They also had 35 to 75 more guns in reserve.
Breaking Through Confederate Defenses
The Union cavalry attacked the Confederate artillery and their guards. It was getting dark, making the fight harder. After several tries, the Union cavalry finally broke through the Confederate lines. The Confederates began to retreat. They tried to take as many guns and wagons as they could.
Custer's men chased the fleeing Confederates. They reached the Lynchburg stage road. This road was very important for Lee's army. The Union cavalry now controlled a part of it. This blocked Lee's path towards Lynchburg.
After the Battle
Union Forces Close In
After the fighting, Major General George Crook's division took over from Custer's tired men. General Sheridan sent a message to General Ulysses S. Grant. He said that the Union forces could surround Lee's army the next morning. Sheridan urged Union infantry to march quickly to Appomattox Station. He wanted them to cut off any Confederate escape.
The first Union infantry units arrived around 2:00 a.m. on April 9. Most of the infantry arrived later that morning. The Union cavalry held back the Confederates. Because of these movements, Lee's army was surrounded by April 9.
Lee's Last Hope
General Lee and his officers knew Union cavalry was ahead of them. They decided to try one last breakthrough towards Lynchburg on April 9. This plan would only work if they faced only Union cavalry. If Union infantry were also there, they would have to surrender.
General Lee asked his officers to tell him if Union infantry blocked the way. If so, he would send a flag of truce to Grant. This meant he would surrender.
The Union Position on April 9
Union cavalry set up on a ridge across the Lynchburg stage road. This blocked the main escape route. Other Union cavalry divisions were ready to support them.
Meanwhile, Union infantry marched quickly. Some units marched 30 miles (48 km) since dawn. They arrived at Appomattox Station in the early morning hours of April 9. They were ready to support the cavalry.
Grant and Lee's Letters
On April 8, General Grant sent a letter to Lee asking him to surrender. Lee replied, asking about the terms of surrender. He did not say he would surrender yet. Lee offered to meet Grant on April 9. By then, he would know if his army could escape. If not, surrender would be his only choice.
Battlefield Preservation
The Civil War Trust and its partners have worked to save parts of this important battlefield. They have preserved 45 acres (0.18 km2) of the land.
Images for kids
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Lee's retreat in the Appomattox Campaign, April 2–9, 1865.
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Brigadier General (Brevet Major General) George Armstrong Custer
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Brigadier General Reuben Lindsay Walker
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Historical marker in Appomattox commemorating the battle
