The Last Cavalry Clash in Virginia- April 9, 1865

As the Battle of Appomattox Court House progressed it became clear to Confederate Cavalry commander Major General Fitzhugh Lee that Union infantry blocked the path west of the Army of Northern Virginia. There were no good options left and that his uncle Robert E. Lee must now surrender. Thinking that he and his men would not be allowed to keep their horses Fitz, however, had no intention of surrendering and he would lead his cavalry around the Union left flank to Lynchburg. Three days later, realizing the futility of continued resistance, he returned to Appomattox and formally surrendered. Fitzhugh Lee’s Cavalry was on the far right of the Confederate line on the 9th, as shown in the map below.

The numbers of Confederate Cavalry paroled at Appomattox according to Chris Caulkins were: total- 1559; Fitzhugh Lee and staff- 7; Munford’s Division- 1108; WHF “Rooney” Lee’s Division- 298; Lomax’s Division- 9; Rosser’s Division- 137. In all 28,231 paroles were issued. Caulkins estimates that a total of 2,400 Cavalry escaped from Appomattox, and another 1,000 left the ranks during the retreat from Petersburg. Of the three division commanders of Fitzhugh Lee’s cavalry during the battle on April 9th two did not surrender at Appomattox (Munford and Rosser).

Fitz Lee, with Munford’s and Rosser’s divisions, a total of about 2400 men, left the battlefield on a northern arc toward the road that connected Appomattox and Oakville, shown in the maps below. They moved through heavy woods in the area of the Christian farm, with Munford in the lead. Nearing what is now the modern-day Oakville Road they encountered a line of Union skirmishers from the 1st NJ Cavalry. The skirmishers sent word back to Brigadier General Henry Davies of the advancing Rebel cavalry column. Davies was responsible for guarding the left and rear of the Army of the Potomac that day and initially was the only Union brigade located on this part of the battlefield. He and his men were part of Major General George Crook’s Second Cavalry Division. Davies was on a reconnaissance up the Oakville Road and sent the 24th NY Cavalry to support them. The skirmishers and the 24th NY were ordered to slowly fall back and attempt to establish contact with the infantry. Private Lemuel Smith, Company E, 1st NJ Cavalry was killed here.

Davies with the rest of his brigade (1st NJ, 10th NY, 5th PA) headed south then turned west onto the Stage Road to try to intercept the Confederates. The Confederates headed southwest across the countryside toward the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road and their escape to Lynchburg. Companies C and F of the 1st VA Cavalry struck the road first and were ordered to move west for a short distance and halt. The 2nd VA formed with its right on the railroad next to them. Here they met a group of Confederates returning from a 10-day furlough from Lynchburg where Lieutenant Parker, Company G, had been married. The unfortunate newlywed would be killed by the first Union volley. He may be buried in an unmarked grave (#9) at the Confederate Cemetery.

**The Battles of Appomattox Station and Appomattox Court House, April 8-9, 1865** **Chris Caulkin page 117**

**“No One Wants to Be the Last to Die” The Battles of Appomattox Court House April 8-9, 1865 by Chris Caulkin page 121**

The Federals as they rode west saw the Confederates coming onto the Stage Road beyond the Robertson house around 11:00 AM. Davies sent the 10th NY to hold the road, and they were quickly attacked by the 1st and 2nd VA. Five companies of the 1st PA and the 1st NJ were sent in as reinforcements. Captain John Van Tuyl of the 10th NY was captured but later escaped while being taken to Lynchburg. The first Union charge was repelled. Further east Lee’s escape route had been blocked by the Army of the James. When this occurred the rest of Crook’s Cavalry Division was withdrawn from the field and ordered to head west toward Lynchburg to assist Davies. General Samuel Young’s Brigade were already in the saddle and moved out right away, see maps below.

They arrived around 11:30 AM with the 4th, 8th, 16th and 21st PA. The Confederate 1st MD Cavalry came on the field next meeting the charge of Young’s men. Fighting swirled around the Robertson house with several Federals firing from inside the house. Eliza Robertson and her family hid in the basement. It was at this time that a flag of truce was called, Lee had requested a meeting in order to surrender. Munford met with Union Generals Davies, Young and Mackenzie but they could provide him with few specifics so he returned to his lines.

Munford gradually withdrew all his men during the lull west toward Lynchburg and joined them a few miles down the road. They split up at an intersection at Concord Station going to Campbell Court House (Rustburg- route 24) and another road leading to a James River ferry. Munford’s old brigade went to Lynchburg, most of Payne’s Brigade, the wagons and horse artillery took the James River Road, and others went to Amherst. Rosser’s Division followed the same route as Munford but continued west during the fighting on the Stage Road. He pushed forward with McCausland’s Brigade and Munford’s old brigade, with Colonel Elijah White commanding James Dearing’s old “Laurel Brigade” as rearguard.

The clash is interpreted by two Civil War Trails signs near where the Robertson House once stood.

The Robertson House Site- the last cavalry clash in Virginia .