Ford's Depot
The Destruction Begins
In June 1864, to deny Gen. Robert E. Lee the use of the South Side R.R. and the Richmond and Danville R.R., Gen. Ulysses S. Grant sent Gen. James H. Wilson and Gen. August V Kautz south of Petersburg on a cavalry raid to destroy track and rolling stock. The Wilson-Kautz raiders reached this point at sundown on June 22, and destroyed two trains and military supplies. A passenger train from the west stopped just short of the station, reversed course and backed all the way to Burkeville (about 35 miles) where news of the raid was telegraphed to Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond. Late in the evening, Gen. W.H.F. “Rooney” Lee’s cavalry fought a brief skirmish with the raiders.
“The [Confederate] train was hailed by Colonel Lewis of Dinwiddie, who informed us that the enemy were at Ford’s. We backed about three miles, then sent forward a crank which did not return. Then four men on foot went toward Ford’s. We gave them ample time to scout the railroad and report, but failing to do so the train was at once moved to this place [Burkeville]. I could not learn the force of the enemy; only heard it was large.” - Major Robert G. Mosby, C.S.A., telegram to Richmond
“About sundown the Southside railroad was reached a little west of Sutherland’s, and destruction of ties, rails, culverts and bridges began in earnest. The night was soon illuminated by the destroying fires. Our march now lay along the railroad, and was continued as far as Ford’s, where we halted about eleven p.m., after capturing two trains, one passenger and one freight. The engines hating been set on fire by the men with rails and boards piled around them, made the night hideous with their unearthly shrieks, which continued for several hours, disturbing the rest, which weary and sleepy, we sought in vain to enjoy.” – Louis Bouydre 5th New York Cavalry
Marker is at the intersection of Baltimore Road and Zion Road, on the right when traveling north on Baltimore Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
