Sayler's Creek Battlefield
Why it's listed
Sayler's Creek Battlefield preserves the ground of three linked fights on April 6, 1865, in Amelia and Prince Edward Counties: Hillsman's Farm, Marshall's Cross Roads and Lockett's Farm. The land has changed little since the battles. Part of it is a Virginia state park centered on the Hillsman House, a restored farmhouse built around 1750-70 that served as a hospital for both armies. The privately owned Lockett House, built in 1858-59, still shows bullet and shell marks on its siding and chimney. The fighting mattered because it was the last major clash between Lee's and Grant's forces before Appomattox. About 7,700 Confederates were lost, including eight generals, nearly a quarter of Lee's effective strength. Confederate sailors and marines fought here, and 59 Medals of Honor were awarded. Federal success led to Lee's surrender three days later. The Advisory Board on National Parks classified the area as nationally significant in 1937.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the three engagements were the last major fighting between Lee's and Grant's armies before Appomattox, and that they produced the largest surrender of an army without terms, about 7,700 men and eight generals. Union success here led to Lee's surrender three days later. The battles also involved famous commanders, Confederate naval personnel and marines fighting on land, and the issuance of 59 Medals of Honor.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85002436, listed February 4, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | VA 617, 618, and 619, Farmville |
|---|---|
| County | Amelia County |
| Listed | February 4, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002436 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated February 4, 1985 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is described as excellent and unaltered, little changed since 1865. Part is a state park with leased agricultural land, and the Lockett House and surrounding farmland are privately owned. |
| Acreage | 1021 |
| Coordinates | 37.33225, -78.24220 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85002436.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q574053
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.