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How to Experience the Trail
The trail is comprised of 26 stops with
detailed interpretation at each site. The self-guided driving
tour allows you to enjoy the trail at your own pace, letting
you linger longer at some stops and pass by others, if time is
short. Because the trail is not linear or chronological, it can
be started and ended at any point. Once you begin, follow the
Virginia Civil War Trails trail blazing signs from one stop to
the next. A Lee's Retreat brochure and a Virginia State Map could
be helpful if you want to skip a stop or should you get lost.
Pick them up at any Virginia Welcome Center or call 1-800-6-RETREAT
to receive them by mail. To fully experience the tour, allowing
time to enter buildings that are publicly accessible, it will
take
approximately two full days. |
On June 22, the Union cavalrymen marched
down the South Side Railroad. Almost at once, however, Confederate
cavalry commander Gen. W. H. F. "Rooney" Lee set
off in pursuit. For the next three days, the raiders alternated
destroying track and depots with fighting rearguard actions.
On June 25, they attacked the Staunton River Bridge crossing
of the Richmond and Danville Railroad, where they were decisively
repulsed. They then headed back to Petersburg by way of Ream's
Station, where Wilson expected to find Union infantry but instead
discovered Confederates surrounding him. He and Kautz cut their
way out and finally reached the Petersburg lines on June 30.
Although the Federals had destroyed track, buildings, rolling
stock, and supplies, they suffered almost 1,800 casualties.
The Confederates soon made repairs and kept materiel flowing
to Petersburg. |
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