Civil War Battles in Virginia 1865
They are in the order in which they occurred during the war.
Since Virginia saw the most battles during the Civil War I have broken them down by each year.
- Civil War Battles in Virginia 1861
- Civil War Battles in Virginia 1862
- Civil War Battles in Virginia 1863
- Civil War Battles in Virginia 1864
Civil War Battles in Virginia in 1865
Hatcher’s Run
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: Dabney’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, Armstrong’s Mill, Vaughan Road
Location: Dinwiddie County
Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)
Date(s): February 5-7, 1865
Principal Commanders: Commanders: Maj. Gen. A.A. Humphreys and Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon [CS]
Forces Engaged: 48,352 total (US 34,517; CS 13,835)
Estimated Casualties: 2,700 total
Description: On February 5, Bvt. Brig. Gen. David Gregg’s cavalry division rode out to the Boydton Plank Road via Ream’s Station and Dinwiddie Court House in an attempt to intercept Confederate supply trains. Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren with the V Corps crossed Hatcher’s Run and took up a blocking position on the Vaughan Road to prevent interference with Gregg’s operations. Two divisions of the II Corps under Maj. Gen. A.A. Humphreys shifted west to near Armstrong’s Mill to cover Warren’s right flank.
Late in the day, Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon attempted to turn Humphreys right flank near the mill but was repulsed. During the night, the Federals were reinforced by two divisions. On February 6, Gregg returned to Gravelly Run on the Vaughan Road from his unsuccessful raid and was attacked by elements of Brig. Gen. John Pegram’s Confederate division.
Warren pushed forward a reconnaissance in the vicinity of Dabney’s Mill and was attacked by Pegram’s and Maj. Gen. William Mahone’s divisions. Pegram was killed in the action. Although the Union advance was stopped, the Federals extended their siegeworks to the Vaughan Road crossing of Hatcher’s Run.
Result(s): Union gained ground
Waynesboro
Other Names: None
Location: Augusta County
Campaign: Sheridan’s Expedition to Petersburg (February-March 1865)
Date(s): March 2, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan [US]; Lt. Gen. Jubal Early [CS]
Forces Engaged:4,100 total (US 2,500; CS 1,600)
Estimated Casualties: 1,800 total
Description: On February 27, Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan with two cavalry divisions rode from Winchester up the Shenandoah Valley to Staunton. Turning east, the Federals encountered the last remnant of Lt. Gen. Jubal Early’s Valley army at Waynesboro on March 2.
After a brief stand-off, a Federal attack rolled up Early’s right flank and scattered his small force. More than 1,500 Confederates surrendered. Early and a few of his staff evaded capture. Sheridan crossed the Blue Ridge to Charlottesville and then raided south, destroying the James River Canal locks near Goochland Court House. He joined forces with the Army of the Potomac near Petersburg on March 26 for the opening of the Appomattox Campaign.
Result(s): Union victory
Fort Stedman
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Petersburg
Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)
Date(s): March 25, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John G. Parke [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee and Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 3,850 total (US 950; CS 2,900)
Description: In a last-gasp offensive, Gen. Robert E. Lee amassed nearly half of his army in an attempt to break through Grant’s Petersburg defenses and threaten his supply depot at City Point. Directed by Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon, the pre-dawn assault on March 25 overpowered the garrisons of Fort Stedman and Batteries X, XI, and XII.
The Confederates were brought under a killing crossfire, and counterattacks led by Maj. Gens. Parke and Hartranft contained the breakthrough, cut off, and captured more than 1,900 of the attackers. During the day, elements of the II and VI Corps assaulted and captured the entrenched picket lines in their respective fronts, which had been weakened for the assault on Fort Stedman. This was a devastating blow for Lee’s army, setting up the Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1 and the fall of Petersburg on April 2-3.
Result(s): Union victory
Lewis’s Farm
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: Quaker Road, Military Road, Gravelly Road
Location: Dinwiddie County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): March 29, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Maj. Gen. Bushrod R. Johnson [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 850 total (US 380; CS 370)
Description: On March 29, in the opening moves of Grant’s spring offensive, Sheridan marched with the army’s cavalry followed by the V Corps toward Dinwiddie Court House to turn the right flank of Lee’s Petersburg defenses. The Union V Corps under Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren crossed Rowanty Creek, moved up the Quaker Road toward the Boydton Plank Road intersection, and encountered Johnson’s Confederate brigades. A sharp firefight forced the Confederates back to their entrenchments on the White Oak Road.
Result(s): Union victory
Dinwiddie Court House
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Dinwiddie County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): March 31, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan [US]; Maj. Gen. George Pickett and Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: 65,277 total (US 45,247; CS 20,030)
Estimated Casualties: 821 total
Description: On March 29, with the Cavalry Corps and the II and V Corps, Sheridan undertook a flank march to turn Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Petersburg defenses. A steady downpour turned the roads to mud, slowing the advance. On March 31, Maj. Gen. W.H. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry and Pickett’s infantry division met the Union vanguard north and northwest of Dinwiddie Court House and drove it back, temporarily stalling Sheridan’s movement. With Union infantry approaching from the east, Pickett withdrew before daybreak to entrench at the vital road junction at Five Forks. Lee ordered Pickett to hold this intersection at all hazard.
Result(s): Confederate victory
White Oak Road
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: Hatcher’s Run, Gravelly Run, Boydton Plank Road, White Oak Ridge
Location: Dinwiddie County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): March 31, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee and Lt. Gen. Richard H. Anderson [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 2,670 (US 1,870; CS 800)
Description:On March 30, Lee shifted reinforcements to meet the Federal movement to turn his right flank, placing Maj. Gen. W.H. Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry divisions at Five Forks and transferring Pickett’s division from the Bermuda Hundred front to the extreme right. Warren pushed the V Corps forward and entrenched a line to cover the Boydton Plank Road from its intersection with Dabney Mill Road south to Gravelly Run.
Ayres’s division advanced northwest toward White Oak Road. On March 31, in combination with Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan’s thrust via Dinwiddie Court House, Warren directed his corps against the Confederate entrenchments along White Oak Road, hoping to cut Lee’s communications with Pickett at Five Forks.
The Union advance was stalled by a crushing counterattack directed by Maj. Gen. Bushrod Johnson, but Warren’s position stabilized and his soldiers closed on the road by day’s end. This fighting set up the Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1.
Result(s): Union gained ground
Five Forks
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Dinwiddie County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 1, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan [US]; Maj. Gen. George Pickett [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 3,780 total (US 830; CS 2,950)
Description:Gen. Robert E. Lee ordered Pickett with his infantry division and Munford’s, W.H.F. Lee’s, and Rosser’s cavalry divisions to hold the vital crossroads of Five Forks at all hazard. On April 1, while Sheridan’s cavalry pinned the Confederate force in position, the V Corps under Maj. Gen. G.K. Warren attacked and overwhelmed the Confederate left flank, taking many prisoners.
Sheridan personally directed the attack, which extended Lee’s Petersburg lines to the breaking point. Loss of Five Forks threatened Lee’s last supply line, the South Side Railroad. The next morning, Lee informed Jefferson Davis that Petersburg and Richmond must be evacuated. Union general Winthrop was killed; Willie Pegram, beloved Confederate artillery officer, was mortally wounded. Dissatisfied with his performance at Five Forks, Sheridan relieved Warren of command of the V Corps.
Result(s): Union victory
Petersburg
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: Petersburg
Location: City of Petersburg
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 2, 1865
Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Armies
Estimated Casualties: 7,750 total (US 3,500; CS 4,250)
Description: With Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1, Grant and Meade ordered a general assault against the Petersburg lines by II, IX, VI and XXIV Corps on April 2. A heroic defense of Fort Gregg by a handful of Confederates prevented the Federals from entering the city that night. Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill was killed trying to reach his troops in the confusion. After dark, Lee ordered the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. Grant had achieved one of the major military objectives of the war: the capture of Petersburg, which led to the fall of Richmond, the Capitol of the Confederacy.
Result(s): Union victory
Sutherland’s Station
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Dinwiddie
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 2, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles [US]; Maj. Gen. Henry Heth and Maj. Gen. Cadmus Wilcox [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 970 total (US 370; CS 600)
Description: Union columns converged on Petersburg on April 2. part Mile’s force struck north from White Oak Road meeting elements of four Confederate brigades (Cooke, Scales, MacRae, McGowan) attempting to defend the South Side Railroad. The Confedeerates placed their left flank on Ocran Methodist Church, where it was overun by three Union brigades commanded by Miles.
The Confederate defenders were scattered and driven northwestward. With this victory, the Federals possessed the South Side Railroad, Gen. Robert E. Lee’s last supply line into Petersburg.
Result(s): Union victory
Namozine Church
Other Names: None
Location: Amelia County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 3 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George A. Custer [US]; Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Brigades
Estimated Casualties: 75 total
Description: Rearguard cavalry action. A brigade of Union cavalry under Col. William Well’s (Custer’s Division) attacked Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry near Namozine Church on April 3. Confederate Gen. Rufus Barringer was captured nearby. Result(s):
Result(s): Inconclusive
Amelia Springs
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Amelia Springs
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 5, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George Crook [US]; Maj. Gen. Rosser and Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 250 total
Description: On April 5, Confederate cavalry under Fitzhugh Lee and Rosser assaulted Union cavalry under George Crook as they returned from burning Confederate wagons at Painesville. This running fight started north of Amelia Springs and pushed through and beyond Jetersville.
Result(s): Inconclusive
Rice’s Station
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: Rice’s Depot
Location: Prince Edward County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 6, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. John Gibbon [US]; Lt. Gen. James Longstreet [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: Few
Description: On April 6, Longstreet’s command reached Rice’s Station, its farthest point south, where it was blocked by Union XXIV Corps. After some skirmishing, Longstreet withdrew over the High Bridge during the night toward Farmville.
Result(s): Union victory
Sailor’s Creek
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: Hillsman Farm, Lockett Farm
Location: Amelia County, Prince Edward County, and Nottoway County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 6, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan [US]; Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell and Maj. Gen. John B. Gordon [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 9,980 total
Description: On April 6 at Sailor’s Creek, nearly one fourth of the retreating Confederate army was cut off by Sheridan’s Cavalry and elements of the II and VI Corps. Most surrendered, including Confederate generals Richard S. Ewell, Barton, Simms, Kershaw, Custis Lee, Dubose, Hunton, and Corse. This action was considered the death knell of the Confederate army. Upon seeing the survivors streaming along the road, Lee exclaimed “My God, has the army dissolved?”
Result(s): Union victory
Cumberland Church
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: Farmville
Location: Cumberland County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 7, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. A.A. Humphreys [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Corps
Estimated Casualties: 910 total (US 655; CS 255)
Description: Near 2 pm on April 7, the advance of the Union II Corps encountered Confederate forces entrenched on high ground near Cumberland Church. The Union forces attacked twice but were repulsed, and darkness halted the conflict. Union general Smythe was mortally wounded nearby, and J.I. Gregg was captured north of Farmville.
Result(s): Confederate victory
High Bridge
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Prince Edward County and Cumberland County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 6-7, 1865
Principal Commanders: April 6: Col. T. Read [US]; Maj. Gen. Thomas Rosser [CS]. April 7: Maj. Gen. A.A. Humphreys [US]; Maj. Gen. William Mahone [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 1,200 total (US 800 captured)
Description: On April 6, the Confederate cavalry fought stubbornly to secure the Appomattox River bridges. Confederate general Dearing was mortally wounded. On April 7, elements of the II Corps came up against Longstreet’s rear guard attempting to fire the High Bridge and wagon bridge. Union forces were able to save the wagon bridge over which the II Corps crossed in pursuit of Lee’s army. Failure to destroy this bridge enabled Union forces to catch up with the Confederates at Farmville.
Result(s): Inconclusive
Appomattox Station
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Appomattox County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 8, 1865
Principal Commanders: Maj. Gen. George A. Custer [US]; Brig. Gen. Lindsay Walker [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: Unknown
Description: Custer’s division captured a supply train and twenty-five guns, driving off and scattering the Confederate defenders. This unique action pitted artillery without infantry support against cavalry. Custer captured and burned three trains loaded with provisions for Lee’s army.
Result(s): Union victory
Appomattox Court House
Civil War battles in Virginia 1865
Other Names: None
Location: Appomattox County
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)
Date(s): April 9, 1865
Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS]
Forces Engaged: Armies
Estimated Casualties: 700 total (27,805 Confederate soldiers paroled)
Description:Early on April 9, the remnants of John Broun Gordon’s corps and Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry formed line of battle at Appomattox Court House. Gen. Robert E. Lee determined to make one last attempt to escape the closing Union pincers and reach his supplies at Lynchburg. At dawn the Confederates advanced, initially gaining ground against Sheridan’s cavalry. The arrival of Union infantry, however, stopped the advance in its tracks. Lee’s army was now surrounded on three sides. Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9. This was the final engagement of the war in Virginia.
Result(s): Union victory
Source: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battles.htm# No protection is claimed in original U.S. Government works
