Emporia, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
"Apple Jack" Raid
On December 7, 1864, Union Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren, with a force of 26,200 infantry and cavalrymen, moved from Petersburg to destroy the rail line, striking it below Stony Creek.
Confederate forces, led by Gen. Wade Hampton, were soon organized to resist the advancing Union column. A decision was made to establish the main line of defense along the Meherrin River at the railroad crossing and around the villages of Belfield (north bank) and Hicksford (south bank). Southern officers, including Gen. W.H.F. “Rooney” Lee, met in this house, Village View, to discuss their plans.
At midday, December 9, Union cavalry appeared at Belfield and attempted to reach the railroad bridge but were stopped by entrenched Confederate cavalry. These defenders, in order to prevent the Federals
Early the next morning, Union forces began their retreat to Petersburg and were pursued from some distance by Confederate cavalry. As they retreated through Sussex County, Union soldiers committed depredations on the local population and paid the ultimate price for these indiscretions. Many times they acted under the influence of apple brandy or “apple jack,” as it was known locally.
About 16 miles of track were destroyed in the raid. This initially was a serious blow to Lee’s supply line. By early March 1865, the line was reopened as far as Stony Creek, where supplies could be sent into Confederate lines by wagon.
Warren’s Weldon Raid
December 7-12, 1864
1. December 7, 1884. 22,000 Union infantry (V Corps and a division of II Corps) with 4,200 cavalry, all-under the command of General Gouverneur K. Warren, move south from Petersburg over the Jerusalem Plank Road.
2. December 7-8, evening. Troops bivouac around Sussex Court House.
3. December 8. Troops strike Weldon Railroad south of Stony Creek and begin destroying rails and cross ties. Night of December 8-9, troops suffer as bitter cold moves in with snow and sleet.
4. December 8. General A.P.
5. December 8. General R.E. Lee requests reinforcements from North Carolina to be concentrated at Hicksford. General Wade Hampton eventually joined Col. John J. Garnett’s infantry and is assigned to the overall defense.
6. December 9. After a brief action at Belfield, General Warren is unwilling to sustain losses necessary to force a crossing of the Meherrin River and orders his troops to return to Petersburg.
7. December 10. General A.P. Hill’s column reaches Jarratt Station but misses Warren as he returns through Sussex Court House. The Union general orders all buildings in the area burned in retaliation for deaths inflicted upon Federal soldiers.
8. December 11. Warren recrosses Nottoway River north of Sussex Court House and returns to his lines.
Erected by Virginia Civil War Trails.
Marker series. This marker is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails marker series.
Location. 36° 40.857′ N, 77° 32.666′ W. Marker is in Emporia, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Clay Street and Briggs Street, on the right when traveling north on Clay Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 221 Briggs Street, Emporia VA 23847, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other Village View (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop William McKendree (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Edward E. Goodwyn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gordon Linwood Vincent (approx. 0.2 miles away); Early Masonic Lodges (approx. ¼ mile away); Grave of Gen. John R. Chambliss, Jr. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans of the 1914-1918 World War I (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederate Soldiers of Greensville County (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emporia.
Also see . . . Civil War Traveler - Southside Virginia - More Sites. Emporia. Village View Manor House (Submitted on May 18, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
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Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2017. This page originally submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,082 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 11, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.