The Battle of Ream's Station

June 29, 1864 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia

Battle of Ream's Station
Union Forces Commanded by
Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson and Brig. Gen. August Kautz
Strength Killed Wounded Missing / Captured
± 4,000 - - -
Confederate Forces Commanded by
Maj. Gen. William Mahone and Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee
Strength Killed Wounded Missing / Captured
± 7,000 - - -
Conclusion: Confederate Victory
Petersburg Campaign

Early morning June 29, Brig. Gen. August Kautz's division reached Ream's Station on the Weldon Railroad, which was thought to be held by Union infantry.  Instead, Kautz found the road barred by Mahone's Confederate infantry division. Wilson's division, fighting against elements of William H.F.  "Rooney" Lee's cavalry,  joined Kautz's near Ream's Station, where they were virtually surrounded.

About noon, Mahone's infantry assaulted their front while Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry division threatened the Union left flank. The raiders burned their wagons and abandoned their artillery.

Separated by the Confederate attacks, Wilson and his men cut their way through and fled south on the Stage Road to cross Nottoway River, while Kautz went cross-country, reaching Federal lines at Petersburg about dark. Wilson continued east to the Blackwater River before turning north, eventually reaching Union lines at Light House Point on July 2.

The Wilson-Kautz raid tore up more than 60 miles of track, temporarily disrupting rail traffic into Petersburg, but at a great cost in men and mounts.

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