Battle at Saylor’s Creek pictures.

 

During the war John D Stepp and brother Nathan served in Company A of the 20th Battalion of Virginia Heavy Artillery. They manned the big guns defending Richmond and saw little action until the end of the war.

 

Library of Virginia

Big gun installation at Drury’s Bluff, which is just south of Richmond on the river.

 

18th and 20th Battalions of Heavy Artillery” by Chernault and Weaver

Member of Company A of the 20th Battalion of Virginia Heavy Artillery. He is Corporal Thomas Gilmer Davis Evans. He is a relative by marriage, an inlaw.

 

When Lee retreated from Richmond the heavy artillerists took up their rifles and became infantrymen. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia marched west and was encircled by Grant’s Army of the Potomac and forced into battle at Saylor’s Creek April 6 1865. Many were taken POW that day, including John D Stepp and brother Nathan. A month or so latter they took the oath and were released. The remnant of the army that escaped the Saylor’s Creek battle was forced to surrender a few days latter at Appomattox Court House; there they stacked their arms and were released.

 

Library of Virginia

Newspaper drawing depicting the surrender at Saylor’s Creek. It had been raining for several days.

 

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