America's Best History Spotlight

On this page we're going to Spotlight the lesser known historic sites and attractions that dot the history landscape across the USA and are worth a visit if you're in their area. And while they may be lesser known, some are very unique, and will be that rare find. You'll be, at times, on the ground floor, or maybe even know something others don't. It'll be fun. Visit them.

Battle of Trevilian Station, Louisa County, Virginia

The plan was for the Union cavalry under Phil Sheridan (photo above of Sheridan and his staff in January 1865, including left to right; Gen. Sheridan, Col. Forsyth, Chief of Staff Merritt, Gen. Devin, Gen. Custer) to destroy the Virginia Central Railroad, which had reached Louisa in 1838 and provided access to the rest of the county thereafter to resupply Lee's army, as well as give time for Grant to cross the James River. General Grant got the Union Army across the James, but Sheridan was unable to permanently destroy the railroad, although he certainly destroyed some of it on a less than permanent basis.

There were 9,200 Union cavalrymen in the battle and they sustained losses over 1,000; the Confederates had 6,700 in battle and lost somewhere between 600-850 men killed, wounded, and missing. Imagine that folks, a combined horse force of nearly 16,000 men.

Today, Trevilian Station remains a great, but lesser known preservation success, and is well worth a visit for Civil War buffs and anyone with a penchant for heritage tourism. The Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation and Civil War Trust have saved over 1,700 acres of battlefield land for interpretation and are in the process of saving more.

Photo above: Charge of the Confederate Cavalry at the Battle of Trevilian Station, 1891, James E. Taylor. Courtesy Wikipedia Commons.

Minute Walk in History

A short walk and drive around the battle stops at Trevilian, all narrated by the Chief of Staff of the cavalry, for General Torbert, J.A. Norfield. It's a bit more than a minute, but hopefully spurs a visit.

Where Is It

From Richmond - About 55 miles from Richmond, take I-64 west for 43 miles, then north on Route 208. Route 208 is known as Courthouse Road. In Louisa, take Route 33/23 west (W. Main Street or Gordonsville Road).