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On Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2, the Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society (APPS) will host torchlit tours of the Appomattox Station Battlefield. The battlefield tract is 46-acres of well-preserved land previously held by the American Battlefield Trust. 

On April 8, 1865, this ground saw heavy and unique combat that pitted General George Custer’s Federal cavalry against Confederate artillery under General R. Lindsay Walker. Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia reserves were unloading critically needed supplies at Appomattox Station when they were attacked by Federal cavalry troopers. After repeated charges lasting well after dark, the Federals broke through the Confederate artillery, captured the supplies, along with approximately 1,000 prisoners and 25 cannon and blocked General Lee’s line of retreat. The Army of Northern Virginia capitulated to Federal forces the next day at Appomattox Court House. 

There will be an historical tour of the battlefield and other sites from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. On the nights of Nov. 1 and 2, ticketed torchlit tours will be held on the Appomattox Station Battlefield from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. where visitors will be guided across the battlefield and meet five characters that were present at the Battle of Appomattox Station and learn their story.

The Appomattox-Petersburg Preservation Society is a non-profit 501 C 3 organization dedicated to battlefield preservation and interpretation. For more tour information about APPS, visit www.appomattoxpetersburg.org or email APPS at appomattoxpetersburg@gmail.com.