Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park

General Information

On April 6, 1865, Confederate General Robert E Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia wearily trudged its way through Amelia County in hopes of reaching greatly needed supplies at Farmville, Virginia.  At Sailor’s Creek, Union General Ulysses S. Grant’s Union forces successfully cut off the line of retreat and attacked the rear guard.  The result was an overwhelming Union victory, having captured wagons, artillery, approximately 7,700 combatants, and 8 Confederate generals.  72 hours later, General Lee would be surrendering the remainder of his army to General Grant at the village of Appomattox Court House, thus effectively ending the fighting in Virginia. 

The staff at Sailor’s Creek present living history programs and events throughout the year at various times.  Motorists traveling along Lee’s Retreat may learn more about the Appomattox Campaign and the battle through interpretive signs along the route.  Tours of the historic Overton-Hillsman house, which was used by both armies as a field hospital, can be arranged upon request.  Please call the park for more information on guided tours.

Hours

Dawn - dusk. Visitor center, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily.

Location

The park is at 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice, Va. From U.S. 460, take Route 617 (Saylers Creek Rd.) to the park. From U.S. 360, take State Route 307 (connecting highway between U.S. 360 and U.S. 460) to Route 617 North (Saylers Creek Rd.).

Its address is 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice, VA 23966; Latitude, 37.178810. Longitude, -78.137372.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three to three and a half hours; Richmond, one to one and a half hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two and a half to three hours; Roanoke, two hours

Park Size

379 acres.

Share this page

Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

None. For information on availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.

Recreation

TRAILS

There are seven hiking trails with interpretive signs. The trail directly behind the visitor center is the Stagg Trail (.4 miles). The Stagg Trail connects with the Kershaw Trail at the Overlook. Visitors may take the Kershaw Trail (.9miles), which leads to Sailor's Creek where the Union army traversed the battlefield to assault the Confederate position. 

Across the road from the Overlook is the (.8miles) Custis Lee Trail which allows hikers to see where Gen. Custis Lee counter-attacked Union forces. The Seymour Trail (.2 miles) connects the Custis Lee to the creek.

The Hillsman House offers the Wheaton Trail (.7 miles) which takes visitors from the house to the creek and back, or visitors can pick up The Nature Spur Trail for an additional (.1 mile) back to the house. 

At Marshall's Crossroads, signs on the (.2-mile) Pickett Trail describe the final fighting at Sailor's Creek.

SWIMMING

None at this park.

FISHING, BOATING

Several good fishing opportunities are a short drive from this park. The Appomattox River is a few miles to the northeast. Besides largemouth and smallmouth bass, the Appomattox is home to the Kentucky spotted bass and numerous other freshwater species. Access to the river is limited. Nearby Bear Creek Lake, Twin Lakes and Holliday Lake state parks offer fishing and overnight accommodations.

HORSES

None at this park.

Park Trail Guide

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Download (external link for use with Avenza App) the geo-referenced map

Download the geo-referenced map for this park

Nearby Attractions

• Sandy River Reservoir
• Briery Creek Wildlife Management Area
• Prince Edward/Gallion State Forest
• Lee’s Retreat Driving Tour
• Robert R. Moton School Museum
• Longwood College Visual Arts Center
• Old Town Farmville
• Twin Lakes State Park
• High Bridge Trail State Park
• Petersburg National Battlefield
• Five Forks Battlefield
• Appomattox Plantation
• Grant’s Headquarters at City Point
• U.S. Army Quartermaster Museum
• Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
• Pamplin Historical Park
• Magnolia Grange Plantation
• Crewe Historic Railroad Park
• American Civil War Museum

The Hidden Depot Farm Bed and Breakfast is about 7 miles from the park.

Picnic Shelters

Picnic tables and grills are available near the Overton-Hillsman House and the visitor center. The park has no picnic shelters.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

None at this park.

VISITOR CENTER, MUSEUM

The exhibit's timeline begins April 2, 1865, when Confederate forces leave Richmond and Petersburg, and ends on April 8, 1865, the day before the surrender at Appomattox Court House. Displays also features holographic storytellers and artifacts native to the battles of Sailor’s Creek.

Open year-round, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas, the center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A gift shop is also in the building. Call the park for additional information.

RESTAURANT

None at this park.

LAUNDRY

None at this park.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

None at this park.

SPECIAL FEATURES

History research library by appointment only. Historic Hillsman House field hospital.

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY

• ADA-compliant picnic tables
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

• Commemoration of the battles - April
• Star-gazing - Spring and summer
• Overton-Hillsman House tours - Open for on-demand tours. Call or stop by the visitor center to request a guided tour.
• Butterflies on the Battlefield - July
• Veteran's Day Luminaria Commemoration
• Antebellum Saint Nicholas - December

CONCESSIONS

None at this park.

HISTORY

The site is historical because on April 6, 1865, the Black Thursday of the Confederacy, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia lost 7,700 men, including eight generals, in the battles of Sailor's Creek. This defeat was key to Lee's decision to surrender at Appomattox Court House 72 hours later, thus ending the war in Virginia. Click here to download a brochure that details the battle.

The Overton-Hillsman House, used as a field hospital during and after the battle, may be toured for free on request during normal park hours. Contact the park at 804-561-7510, sailorscreek@dcr.virginia.gov, to arrange a tour for large groups.

The small Southside Virginia farmhouse was built circa 1780-1810 by Moses Overton. It served as a field hospital for the Union’s 6th Army Corps. About 358 Union and 161 Confederate soldiers were treated here, on its lawn and in the house. A few days later, the wounded were moved by wagon to a larger hospital at Burkeville Junction 6 miles away. The house has been restored and furnished as a field hospital and home to the Hillsman family. On the floor remain bloodstains, permanent and silent reminders of the 72 hours before the end.

The U.S. Department of Interior in 1985 designated Sailor’s Creek Battlefield a National Historic Landmark. The site is of national significance because the battle here ultimately led to the surrender of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army.

FRIENDS GROUP

Feel like lending a hand? The Friends of Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park is a hands-on volunteer 501c3 organization dedicated to preserving and supporting the park. Visit this website or email foscbhsp@gmail.com for more information.

MASTER PLAN

Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.