Sailor’s Creek Historical Battlefield State Park, located at 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice (Amelia County), invites the public to the 160th anniversary commemoration of what the South grimly called “Black Thursday” (April 6, 1865) — the decisive battle that helped seal the fate of the Confederacy.
This coming Saturday, April 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., relive one of the American Civil War’s most intense engagements as Union and Confederate public historians bring this hallowed ground to life with stirring reenactments and immersive living history experiences.
Saturday’s programs are open and FREE to the public. Bring lawn chairs and dress for rapidly changing weather. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Portions of the program are self-guided and will include elevation changes, uneven terrain, and walking several hundred yards. Please wear closed-toe-shoes and dress comfortably.
Saturday’s commemoration will take place regardless of weather conditions.
Call (804) 561-7510 or email sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov for questions and more information about Saturday’s daylong events.
In April 1865, four days after the Federal breakthrough at Petersburg, Union soldiers captured roughly one-fourth of Robert E. Lee’s army during three separate engagements near Sailor’s Creek, a tributary of the Appomattox River. Three days later, Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse.
At Sailor’s Creek, there were 27,500 forces engaged — 16,000 Union and 11,500 Confederate. There were an estimated 9,980 casualties — 8,830 Confederate and 1,150 Federal.
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