Skirmish at Coggin's Point- Prince George VA - Battlefields on Waymarking.com

From Historical Marker attached: The Beefsteak Raid-Wade Hampton’s Cattle Raid--As the summer of 1864 ended with Union Gen. U.S. Grant’s army still laying siege to Petersburg, Southern sources learned of a large herd of cattle being held at nearby Coggin’s Point on the James River. The cattle were grazing at “Beechwood,” the plantation of secessionist leader Edmund Ruffin. Knowing that this beef was to be issued to Northern soldiers, Confederate cavalry commander Gen. Wade Hampton received permission to capture them. Leaving their camps on Sept. 14, about 3,000 Southern cavalry and four artillery pieces began the ride of more than 100 miles around the Union lines.

Successfully reaching their destination two days later, the Confederates overwhelmed the guards and rounded up 2,500 head of cattle. To the south and at Sycamore Church, another contingent of Southern cavalry skirmished with a Federal outpost, capturing most of the command.

After recrossing the Blackwater Swamp, Hampton’s horsemen sent the captured herd on a more southerly route across the Jerusalem Plank Road at Hawkinsville, heading toward Freeman’s Ford on the Nottoway River. To the northwest, near Belsches Mill at Ebenezer Church,

From The American Civil War-Hampton and Rosser's Cattle Raid:

The Union's army grip on Petersburg, marked by lengthening trenches, tightened throughout the summer of 1864. By September, the food supply of the Army of Northern Virginia had become critical. On September 5th, a resourceful Confederate cavalry scout, Sgt. George D. Shadburne, reported that 2,500-3,000 weakly guarded cattle were corraled at Coggin's Point on the south bank of the James River, 6 miles below Union headquarters at City point. Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton, commander of the Confederate cavalry corps, immediately submitted and obtained approval of an audacious plan to capture the herd.

At 1:00 A.M. on the 14th, with Shadburne and Hampton in the lead, nearly 4,000 Confederate horsemen cantered into the darkness. While Confederate infantry and other cavalry diverted the Federals, Hampton's raiders rode southwestward, away from Union lines. At Dinwiddie Court House, the Confederate cavalry turned to the southeast, rode another 11 miles, and veered northeastward. By nightfall, they had reached Wilkinson's Bridge on the Rowanty Creek.

Again, on the 15th, they rode before dawn 18 circuitous miles led them to Blackwater Creek, where Hampton had a bridge repaired. After midnight, they crossed, deploying for a dawn attack against the Union pickets at Sycamore Church, 4 miles from Coggins' Point.

At 5:00 A.M. on the 16th, Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Rosser's Laurel Brigade charged into the camp of the 1st D.C. Cavalry. In 30 minutes, they killed, wounded, or captured 219 startled federals. Rosser hurriedly regrouped and within an hour attacked 150 members of the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, who were guarding the herd. Rosser's charge destroyed the Union detail. The Confederates soon calmed the frightened cattle, seized many supplies, cut telegraph lines, and started southward with their prize.

The Union command initially reacted incredulously to the news of the Confederate attack and capture. Not until after Hampton had abandoned Coggins' Point did Union gunboats arrive to shell the area. The Confederate cowboys herded their 2,486 heads of cattle back along their route of advance. The column stretched for nearly 7 miles through choking clouds of dust.

At Ebenezer Church, around 4:00 P.M., Rosser began a 4-hour duel with Union cavalry while Hampton pushed the herd. The Confederates rode throughout the night, reaching their lines about 9:00 A.M. on the 17th. At a cost of 61 casualties, Hampton and Rosser had completed one of the largest cattle-rustling operations in American history.

Name of Battle: Skirmish at Coggin's Point Name of War: U.S. Civil War Date(s) of Battle (Beginning): 09/14/1864 Entrance Fee: Not Listed Parking: Not Listed Date of Battle (End): Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/16/2021 Don.Morfe visited it