Stop #5- This stop includes the North Carolina Monument, the Raine family cemetery and the 1.4-mile loop trail, Grant’s Approach. Rather than walking the entire loop I first walked to the left to the Raine family cemetery, the slave cemetery and down the path until I reached the Grant’s approach sign on Sear’s Lane, whereupon I returned to the parking lot. Then I walked to the right to the North Carolina Monument and signs along the way.

From the Lee’s Last Attack sign- On the morning of April 9, 1865, the Confederates at first swept aside Union cavalry and cleared the road westward. But then Union infantry arrived—coming from the west (in front of you) and south (to your left). With no escape left the Confederates requested a truce. Here, on the foggy morning of April 9, 1865, the Army of Northern Virginia made its final attack and fired its last organized volley. Shortly after daylight, Confederate infantry moved out of the village and drove Union cavalry from this ridge, opening the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road for the passage of Lee’s army. The victory was short-lived. Union infantry soon appeared in the fields before you, blocking the route west again. North Carolinians along this lane engaged the Federals—and continued to do so until flags of truce went out. Then, with the rest of the Confederates west of Appomattox Court House, the Carolinians fell back into the village. The shooting died away, never to resume.

The next five images were taken from the sign.

Looking back at the field from along the path to the North Carolina monument

The Confederates attacked across this field heading away from the camera.

The Federals were on the far side of the field on the ridge

Next- Stop #5A- The Coleman House Trail