Lee’s Retreat Through Nottoway County

In the final days of the American Civil War, Nottoway County found itself directly in the path of one of the war’s most significant events—General Robert E. Lee’s retreat from Richmond and Petersburg in April 1865.

Following the fall of Petersburg on April 2, Confederate forces began a desperate westward march toward supplies waiting at Amelia Court House. Thousands of weary soldiers, wagons, artillery pieces, and cavalry units passed through Nottoway County along roads that are still recognizable today.

The retreat brought war directly to local communities. Farms were stripped of food and forage, roads became clogged with military traffic, and residents witnessed the collapse of the Confederate Army firsthand. Union cavalry under General Philip Sheridan pressed closely behind, resulting in skirmishes and raids throughout the region.

One of the most notable events occurred at Nottoway Court House on April 6, 1865, when Union forces entered the village, seized supplies, and briefly occupied the county seat. The old brick church served as a temporary shelter for horses, while local citizens watched as the war that had consumed the nation for four years reached its final chapter.

Lee’s army continued westward through Southside Virginia before finally surrendering three days later at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Today, Nottoway County remains an important part of the Route of Lee’s Retreat, preserving the roads, landscapes, and historic sites that witnessed the closing days of the Confederacy.