On April 29, 2024, the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society marked a significant milestone by assuming ownership of the Appomattox Station Battlefield located just miles from the site of General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House. This 46-acre tract of land, previously under the stewardship of the American Battlefield Trust, holds poignant historical significance.
In April 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia were in a race against time. With the Confederate Capital of Richmond and the major supply center of Petersburg now in Federal hands, the last hope for Lee’s Army was to unite with Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston’s Army of Tennessee in North Carolina. With their combined forces, Lee was hopeful that he and Johnston could defeat Union General William Sherman’s armies marching north through the Carolinas. Once Sherman was defeated, they could then turn their attention towards General Ulysses S. Grant on the Virginia/North Carolina border.
By April 8, Lee’s Army was in the vicinity of Appomattox Station. Here, Lee’s Army stopped to collect supplies that had been dispatched from Lynchburg, Virginia, one of the few major Virginia cities still under Confederate control that had been largely spared the ravages of war. While unloading supplies, Federal cavalry under General George A. Custer launched repeated attacks against the Confederate supply hub and artillery park stationed nearby. Taken by surprise, the Confederate defenders offered dogged resistance, but ultimately, the Federals prevailed, seizing critically needed supplies, taking 1,000 prisoners, and capturing 25 cannon. The capture of Appomattox Station effectively cornered Lee at Appomattox, setting the stage for the subsequent surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House the very next day.
As stewards of this hallowed ground, APPS is committed to not only preserving its historical integrity but also to fostering a deeper understanding of its significance. To this end, APPS will embark on initiatives to develop a trail system, providing visitors with immersive experiences that connect them to the events that unfolded here. Additionally, the society plans to host educational and public events throughout the year, inviting individuals to engage with this pivotal chapter of American history.