Name: The Battle of Sappony Church
Other Names: Stony Creek Depot
Location: Sussex County
Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865)
Date(s): June 28, 1864
Principal Commanders: Brig. Gen. James Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz [US]; Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton [CS]
Forces Engaged: Divisions
Estimated Casualties: 1,817 for entire raid
Description: Maj. Gen. William H.F. “Rooney” Lee’s cavalry division pursued Wilson’s and Kautz’s raiders who failed to destroy the Staunton River Bridge on June 25. Wilson and Kautz headed east and, on June 28, crossed the Nottoway River at the Double Bridges and headed north to Stony Creek Depot on the Weldon Railroad. Here, they were attacked by Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry division. Later in the day, William H.F. Lee’s Division arrived to join forces with Hampton, and the Federals were heavily pressured. During the night, Wilson and Kautz disengaged and pressed north on the Halifax Road for the supposed security of Reams Station, abandoning many fleeing slaves who had sought security with the Federal raiders.
Result(s): Confederate victory
Note: I will be writing full summaries of each battle in time. For now, please see the sites listed below for more information.
Bibliography:
First Person Accounts:
Siege of Petersburg Documents Which Mention This Battle:
- “Destroy the Junction”: The Wilson-Kautz Raid and the Battle for Staunton River Bridge, June 21, 1864 to July 1, 1864 by Greg Eanes
- NP: July 1, 1864 Richmond Examiner: The War News, June 28-29
- NP: July 14, 1864 Macon Daily Telegraph: Dearing’s Brigade at the Battle of Blacks and Whites, June 23, 1864
- NP: July 2, 1864 Richmond Examiner: The Situation at Petersburg, June 28-30
- NP: July 5, 1864 Richmond Examiner: The Situation at Petersburg, June 28-July 3
- NP: June 30, 1864 Petersburg Daily Express: From the Petersburg Front, June 28-29, 1864
- NP: June 30, 1864 Richmond Examiner: The War News, June 25-29
- OR XL P1 #230: Reports of Brigadier General James H. Wilson, commanding 3/Cav/AotP, June 17-July 30, 1864
- OR XL P1 #231: Reports of Brigadier General John B. McIntosh, commanding 1/3/Cav, June 22-July 2, 1864
- OR XL P1 #232: Report of Major George O. Marcy, 1st CT Cav, June 13-July 24, 1864
- OR XL P1 #235: Report of Lieutenant Colonel George A. Purington, 2nd OH Cav, June 13-July 24, 1864
- OR XL P1 #236: Report of Colonel George H. Chapman, 3rd IN Cav, commanding 2/3/Cav/AotP, June 13-July 12, 1864
- OR XL P1 #237: Report of Captain Thomas W. Moffitt, 3rd IN Cav, June 22-July 2, 1864
- OR XL P1 #238: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin T. Hutchins, 1st NH Cav, June 22-July 2, 1864
- OR XL P1 #240: Report of Lieutenant Colonel Johnson B. Brown, 22nd NY Cav, June 22-July 2, 1864
- OR XL P1 #241: Report of Colonel William Wells, 1st VT Cav, June 22-July 3, 1864
- OR XL P1 #243: Report of Lieutenant Charles L. Fitzhugh, Btty E 4th US Arty, June 22-29, 1864
- OR XL P1 #279: Report of Lieutenant Michael Leahy, Btty B 1st US Arty, June 20-26, 1864
- OR XL P1 #281: Report of Colonel Robert M. West, 5th PA Cav, commanding 1/Cav/AotJ, June 21-30, 1864
- OR XL P1 #283: Report of Captain John M. Willson, 3rd NY Cav, June 21-30, 1864
- OR XL P1 #284: Reports of Colonel Samuel P. Spear, 11th PA Cav, commanding 2/Cav/AotJ, June 15-30, 1864
- OR XL P1 #285: Reports of Major J. Stannard Baker, 1st DC Cav, June 15-30, 1864
- OR XL P1 #293: Reports of General Robert E. Lee, commanding ANV, June 16-July 30, 1864
- OR XL P1 #313: Report of Major General Wade Hampton, commanding Cav/ANV, June 27-30, 1864
- OR XLVI P1 #1: Report of Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, commanding U.S. Army, March 1864-May, 1865
- The Battle of Sappony Church: June 28, 1864
Source: CWSAC Battle Summary