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.