Appomattox River stop on the Appomattox Court House Battlefield Tour

APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE BATTLEFIELD TOUR

STOP 3: THE APPOMATTOX RIVER

Allow 10 minutes for a visit

The third stop on a tour of the Appomattox Court House Battlefield is at the Appomattox River. Here you will find wayside exhibits, trailheads, and picnic tables. The tour stop is located just north of the Appomattox Court House town site on Highway 24. There are parking lots on either side of the river, though the official tour stop parking lot is the one to the north, the one closest to the Lee’s Headquarters stop on the tour.

At the northern parking lot are two wayside exhibits, one detailing the surrender of Confederate artillery. The cannon and caissons (artillery supply wagons) on display mark the general location, which is now known as Artillery Park.

Cannon and caisson exhibit at the Appomattox River stop on the Appomattox Court House Battlefield Tour

The second wayside exhibit points out that the level, mowed grass path in front of the parking lot is the historic Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road. Confederates used the road on April 9, 1865, to march into Appomattox Court House to attack the Union troops blocking their way to the Appomattox Station railroad junction two miles to the west. They marched down this road again the next day on their way into town to surrender their weapons.

Remnants of the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Picnic tables are located along the Appomattox River, which is a 75-yard walk from either parking lot. There is one table on each side of the river and one table on each side of Highway 24—four in all. This is a great spot for a picnic, with plenty of shade and a nice view of the river.

Picnic table near the Appomattox River at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Picnic table near the Appomattox River at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

There used to be a footbridge over the river—which really isn’t anything more than a creek at this point—but it was gone when I visited, probably washed away during a storm. To get from one side to the next, you must now cross over via the road bridge. During the Civil War, there was no bridge, but the water was shallow and the banks low enough for crossing on foot or horse. In fact, this is where the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road intersected with the river, so even stage coaches were able to get across.

Ford where the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road crossed the Appomattox River, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Ford where the Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road crossed the Appomattox River, Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

If you would like to go for a hike, use the northern parking lot to access the Sweeney Trail and the Ferguson Wildlife Trail. Park in the southern lot for the Tibbs Trail and Stage Road Trail.

Eastern trailheads for the Tibbs Trail and Stage Road Trail at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park

Stop 4: Confederate Cemetery | Stop 2: Lee’s Headquarters | Battlefield Tour Home Page

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