A full 150 years ago this month, 500 Confederate soldiers and 492 old men and young boys from the area held off an fierce assault by thousands of federal troops trying to destroy a Halifax County bridge. The defense of the Staunton River Bridge ensured the survival of the Richmond & Danville rail supply line, which was a key part of the chain supplying the besieged Confederate forces in Petersburg. However, Gen. Robert E. Lee was forced to abandon Petersburg in April 1865, when his supply lines were finally cut.
On Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22, parts of the battle will be re-enacted at the current Staunton River Battlefield State Park, less than an hour northeast of Oak Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast. Directions here.
Three major events are planned. Re-enactors from the First Division Army of Northern Virginia will present a tactical demonstration at 2 p.m. Saturday, and there will be a scripted living history presentation at 3:20 p.m. Re-enactors’ camps will be open to spectators at 9 a.m., and a ceremony is planned at 9:30 to recognize Confederation and Union battle participants. Another stage of the re-enactment will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $12 for Saturday and $8 on Sunday.