Shared by Chris Calkins, Park Manager, as Guest Blogger.

In praise for Virginia State Park’s efforts in preserving Sailor’s Creek Battlefield, Mr. Cussler gave both Calkins and Wilcox personalized autographed copies of one of his books

New York Times-Bestselling author, Clive Cussler, who has written more than fifty books, made an unscheduled visit to Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park with some friends from Arizona. After finding out that the National Park at Appomattox was closed due to the government shutdown, they took in the Museum of the Confederacy-Appomattox. The staff there suggested they might want to drive the forty-five miles to Sailor’s Creek to see the battlefield. 

Greeted by Park Manager Chris Calkins, they were turned over to Chief Ranger Lee Wilcox for a special tour of the park and Hillsman Farm House Museum.  Mr. Cussler is famous in the Civil War field for having discovered the location of the Confederate submarine CSS Hunley that sank in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, in February 1864.  Accompanying him was the vessel’s recoverer, Warren Lasch. Having been raised in recent years, the Hunley is currently being restored and put on exhibit.

(Left to Right) Clive Cussler, Lee Wilcox, Warren Lasch and Janet Horvath

The park is located at 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice, Va. From U.S. 460, take Route 617 (Saylers Creek Rd.) to Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park. From U.S. 360, take State Route 307 (connecting highway between U.S. 360 and U.S. 460) to Route 617 North (Saylers Creek Rd.).

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three to three and a half hours; Richmond, one to one and a half hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two and a half to three hours; Roanoke, two hours.