Battle of Sayler's Creek

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Date	April 6, 1865
Location	Amelia, Prince Edward & Nottoway Counties, Virginia
Result	Union victory

Combatants

United States of America

Confederate States of America

Commanders

Philip H. Sheridan

Richard S. Ewell

Strength

II Corps
VI Corps

Ewell's Corps
Anderson's Corps

Casualties

1,500

7,000

Appomattox Campaign
Lewis's Farm – White Oak Road – Dinwiddie Court House – Five Forks – 3rd Petersburg – Sutherland's Station – Namozine Church – Amelia Springs – Sayler's Creek – Rice's Station – High Bridge – Cumberland Church – Appomattox Station – Appomattox Courthouse

The Battle of Sayler's Creek (also known as Sailor's Creek, Hillsman Farm, or Lockett Farm) was fought April 6, 1865, southwest of Petersburg, Virginia, as part of the Appomattox Campaign, in the final days of the American Civil War.

After Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant broke the Confederate defenses at the Siege of Petersburg, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia began a retreat in hopes of linking up with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army in North Carolina.

On April 6 at Sayler's Creek, nearly one fourth of the retreating Confederate army was cut off by Union cavalry forces under Maj. Gen. Philip Sheridan and elements of the II and VI Corps. Most surrendered, including Confederate generals Richard S. Ewell, Seth M. Barton, James P. Simms, Joseph B. Kershaw, Custis Lee (Robert E. Lee's son), Dudley M. Dubose, Eppa Hunton, and Montgomery D. Corse. Also present at this battle was Commander John Randolph Tucker and his naval squadron (300–400 strong), and so sailors were fighting at Sayler's Creek.

Sayler's Creek was considered the death knell of the Army of Northern Virginia. Upon seeing the survivors streaming along the road, Lee exclaimed, "My God, has the army dissolved?"

[edit] Naming the battle

The National Park Service and the state of Virginia both use the more recent name "Sailor's Creek" for this battle, but the historic name was "Sayler's", presumably named for a local property owner. Many prominent Civil War historians (James M. McPherson, Shelby Foote, Bruce Catton, Douglas Southall Freeman, etc.) use the historic spelling.