Historical Marker

Civil War Memorial

Historical marker location:
1 College Rd, Farmville, Virginia
( Memorial is at the intersection of College Road (County Road 692) and Atkinson Avenue (County Road 1002), on the left when traveling north on College Road.)

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Audiobooks about the history of Virginia.
In 1954, the Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, originated from a lawsuit filed by parents in Virginia.
Virginia random facts
Prince Edward County, Virginia, has a rich history dating back to the early colonial period. The area was first settled in the early 18th century, with English settlers building farms and plantations along the Appomattox River. Originally part of Amelia County, Prince Edward County was officially established in 1754 and named after Prince Edward, Duke of York and Albany.

During the American Revolutionary War, Prince Edward County played a significant role as a strategic location between the cities of Richmond and Petersburg. The county saw various skirmishes and military movements, with many local residents joining the fight for independence. After the war, the county's economy mainly depended on tobacco plantations, which were worked by both enslaved African Americans and white indentured servants.

In the mid-19th century, Prince Edward County became known for its prominent educational institutions. Hampden-Sydney College, one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States, was founded in 1775 and continues to operate to this day. Additionally, in 1896, the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute (now known as Virginia State University) was established in nearby Ettrick, providing higher education for African American students.

However, the county's history took a darker turn during the era of segregation. In 1951, the local public schools were closed as a result of the infamous Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County case. The white-dominated local government responded to the Supreme Court's ruling on school desegregation by closing all public schools for five years rather than integrating them. The "Massive Resistance" movement in the county gained national attention and left thousands of African American students without access to education until the schools reopened in 1959.

Today, Prince Edward County is a thriving community that encompasses both rural landscapes and vibrant towns. Its history, though marked by both progress and challenges, serves as a reminder of the county's resilience and the ongoing struggle for equality.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Prince Edward County, Virginia.

  • 1608: Captain John Smith explores the area.
  • 1754: Prince Edward County is formed from parts of Amelia County.
  • 1807: The town of Farmville is established as the county seat.
  • 1819: Hampden-Sydney College, the oldest privately chartered college in the southern United States, is founded.
  • 1865: During the American Civil War, Prince Edward County is occupied by Union forces.
  • 1951: The Racial Integrity Act, requiring racial purity in marriage, is unsuccessfully challenged in the county.
  • 1959: Prince Edward County shuts down public schools in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, leading to the "Lost Schools" period.
  • 1964: The Supreme Court orders the reopening of public schools, ending the "Lost Schools" period.