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"I never heard bullets whistle as there" - Holt's Corner, the linchpin of April 6, 1865

Location of Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park in Virginia

Where

Program Location: Visitor Center
Main Park Address: Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park, 6541 Saylers Creek Rd., Rice, VA 23966.

When

April 18, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

On the morning of April 6, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia wearily trudged along the back roads of Amelia County, hoping to reach nearby Farmville for a desperately needed resupply. Union General Philip Sheridan knew he had to disrupt this retreat by any means necessary. The four-way intersection now known as Holt’s Corner provided Sheridan with that opportunity. The fighting that unfolded there proved to be a critical linchpin, setting the stage for the large-scale capture of Confederate troops later that day.

Join us as we unpack the chaos and creativity that set these events in motion. The program will explore battlefield maneuvers, command decisions, and failures in execution that shaped the outcome.

This program is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Visitors should meet at the Visitor Center and be prepared to begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. After a brief introduction, participants are encouraged to carpool to Holt’s Corner (approximately two miles away). Camp chairs and bottled water are highly encouraged.

Please be prepared for rapidly changing and unpredictable spring weather. For questions or additional information, please contact Joshua Lindamood at Joshua.Lindamood@dcr.virginia.gov.

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 804-561-7510
Email Address: SailorsCreek@dcr.virginia.gov