Staunton Bridge Action

Charlotte County · dedicated 2016 · Rte. 15, 0.3 miles north of Rte. 607, at Wylliesburg

On 22 June 1864, more than 5,000 Union cavalrymen under Brig. Gens. James Wilson and August Kautz left Petersburg, newly under siege, to cut Confederate supply lines. Moving along the South Side and Richmond & Danville Railroads, they tore up track and burned stations. On 25 June they tried to destroy the railroad bridge over the Staunton (Roanoke) River, about six miles west of here. Confederate troops under Capt. Benjamin Farinholt, reinforced by local men and boys, repulsed four Union assaults. The Federals retreated toward Petersburg with the bridge intact. The Confederates quickly repaired the damaged railroad track and reopened supply lines to the city.

Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library

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