General Robert E. Lee's dispatch to General George E. Pickett on March 31,1865 (Regarding the evacuation of Petersburg, VA) stated:
Hold Five Forks at all hazards. Protect road to Ford's Depot and prevent Union forces from striking the Southside Railroad. Regret exceedingly your forces' withdrawal, and your inability to hold the advantage you had gained.
*******************
After stationing his troops to defend General Lee's vital railroad link; General Pickett left his men to join Major General Fitzhugh Lee (nephew of General Lee) and others at a Shad bake on the banks of the Appomattox River; secure in his belief that the previous day's heavy spring rains and resulting mud would slow the advance of Union troops long enough for this culinary indulgence.
Pickett and the high ranking officers who were with him at the Shad bake were two miles away from their post when Sheridan's Cavalry arrived at Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA on April Fool's Day 1865.
By the time Pickett rejoined his troops - Five Forks had been lost. Eight days later(April 9, 1865), General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, VA.
Lt. Richard H. Powell of Coolmore Plantation in Edgecombe County, North Carolina was one of the 2950 Confederate casualties at the Battle of Five Forks.
Today, one can drive from Tarboro, NC to Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA and visit the site of this battle in less than two hours time. Close and yet so far from home circa 1865.
Hold Five Forks at all hazards. Protect road to Ford's Depot and prevent Union forces from striking the Southside Railroad. Regret exceedingly your forces' withdrawal, and your inability to hold the advantage you had gained.
*******************
After stationing his troops to defend General Lee's vital railroad link; General Pickett left his men to join Major General Fitzhugh Lee (nephew of General Lee) and others at a Shad bake on the banks of the Appomattox River; secure in his belief that the previous day's heavy spring rains and resulting mud would slow the advance of Union troops long enough for this culinary indulgence.
Pickett and the high ranking officers who were with him at the Shad bake were two miles away from their post when Sheridan's Cavalry arrived at Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA on April Fool's Day 1865.
By the time Pickett rejoined his troops - Five Forks had been lost. Eight days later(April 9, 1865), General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, VA.
Lt. Richard H. Powell of Coolmore Plantation in Edgecombe County, North Carolina was one of the 2950 Confederate casualties at the Battle of Five Forks.
Today, one can drive from Tarboro, NC to Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA and visit the site of this battle in less than two hours time. Close and yet so far from home circa 1865.
General Robert E. Lee's dispatch to General George E. Pickett on March 31,1865 (Regarding the evacuation of Petersburg, VA) stated:
Hold Five Forks at all hazards. Protect road to Ford's Depot and prevent Union forces from striking the Southside Railroad. Regret exceedingly your forces' withdrawal, and your inability to hold the advantage you had gained.
*******************
After stationing his troops to defend General Lee's vital railroad link; General Pickett left his men to join Major General Fitzhugh Lee (nephew of General Lee) and others at a Shad bake on the banks of the Appomattox River; secure in his belief that the previous day's heavy spring rains and resulting mud would slow the advance of Union troops long enough for this culinary indulgence.
Pickett and the high ranking officers who were with him at the Shad bake were two miles away from their post when Sheridan's Cavalry arrived at Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA on April Fool's Day 1865.
By the time Pickett rejoined his troops - Five Forks had been lost. Eight days later(April 9, 1865), General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, VA.
Lt. Richard H. Powell of Coolmore Plantation in Edgecombe County, North Carolina was one of the 2950 Confederate casualties at the Battle of Five Forks.
Today, one can drive from Tarboro, NC to Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA and visit the site of this battle in less than two hours time. Close and yet so far from home circa 1865.
Hold Five Forks at all hazards. Protect road to Ford's Depot and prevent Union forces from striking the Southside Railroad. Regret exceedingly your forces' withdrawal, and your inability to hold the advantage you had gained.
*******************
After stationing his troops to defend General Lee's vital railroad link; General Pickett left his men to join Major General Fitzhugh Lee (nephew of General Lee) and others at a Shad bake on the banks of the Appomattox River; secure in his belief that the previous day's heavy spring rains and resulting mud would slow the advance of Union troops long enough for this culinary indulgence.
Pickett and the high ranking officers who were with him at the Shad bake were two miles away from their post when Sheridan's Cavalry arrived at Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA on April Fool's Day 1865.
By the time Pickett rejoined his troops - Five Forks had been lost. Eight days later(April 9, 1865), General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, VA.
Lt. Richard H. Powell of Coolmore Plantation in Edgecombe County, North Carolina was one of the 2950 Confederate casualties at the Battle of Five Forks.
Today, one can drive from Tarboro, NC to Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA and visit the site of this battle in less than two hours time. Close and yet so far from home circa 1865.
Inscription
Died of wounds received near Dinwiddie C. H., Va. - Sons of Dr. J. J. W. & M. B. Powell
Gravesite Details
Moved from Coolmore Plantation in 1919
Family Members
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