Name: The Battle of Sutherland’s Station
Other Names: None
Location: Dinwiddie
Campaign: Appomattox Campaign (March-April 1865)1
Date: 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 Confederates placed their left flank on Ocran Methodist Church, where it was overrun 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: Union victory2
Full Summary: Coming soon
Bibliography:
First Person Accounts:
Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Battle:
- Review: The 13th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry C.S.A. by Mike Wadsworth
- The Battle of Sutherland’s Station: April 2, 1865
Source:
- The CWSAC site classifies the final battles around Petersburg after Fort Stedman as belonging to the Appomattox Campaign. The Siege of Petersburg Online: Beyond the Crater classifies the six battles around Petersburg from March 29-April 2, 1865 as belonging to Grant’s Ninth Offensive against Petersburg, a part of the Petersburg Campaign. ↩
- CWSAC Battle Summary ↩