Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 10/16/1984
NRHP Listing Date 02/04/1985
NHL Listing Date 02/04/1985
NRHP Reference Number 85002436
On April 6, 1865 Sailor’s Creek (often mistakenly spelled Sayler’s Creek) was the site of the last major battle between the armies of generals Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant before Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House. Some 7,700 Confederate soldiers—roughly one-fifth of Lee’s army—and 8 of his generals were captured here. The Union success led to the final downfall of Lee’s army three days later. In reporting his victory to President Lincoln, Gen. Philip Sheridan (by way of Gen. Grant) wrote, “if the thing is pressed, I think that Lee will surrender.” Lincoln replied, “Let the thing be pressed.” Engagements at Hillsman’s Farm, Marshall’s Crossroads, and Lockett’s Farm constituted the Battle of Sailor’s Creek’s main actions. The Hillsman House and the Lockett house are part of the interpretive sites within the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park in Amelia and Prince Edward counties.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: February 2, 2023
