Second Battle of Ream's Station Facts

August 25, 1864

Second Battle of Ream's Station facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Portrait of Wade Hampton

On the morning of August 25, 1864, Major General Wade Hampton’s cavalry challenged Brigadier General David M. Gregg’s cavalry south of Ream’s Station and drove them back to the perceived safety of their meager fortifications.[Wikimedia Commons]

Date

  • August 25, 1864

Location

  • Dinwiddie County, Virginia, roughly 10 miles south of Petersburg, along the Weldon Railroad

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

Principal Confederate Commanders

Union Forces Engaged

  • 2nd Army Corps
  • Gregg’s Cavalry Division (Army of the Potomac)

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Hampton’s Cavalry (Army of Northern Virginia)
  • Wilcox’s Division (Army of Northern Virginia)
  • Heth’s Division (Army of Northern Virginia)
  • Mahone’s Division (Army of Northern Virginia)

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 9,000

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 8–10,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 2,747 (140 killed, 529 wounded, 2073 captured/missing)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 814 (killed, wounded, captured/missing)

Result

  • Confederate victory

Significance

  • The Confederate victory at the Second Battle of Ream’s Station came too late to prevent significant destruction to the Weldon Railroad south of Globe Tavern.
  • Following the Second Battle of Ream’s Station, Confederate supplies to Petersburg had to be transferred to wagons and transported up the Boydton Plank Road through Dinwiddie Court House.

Timeline of the Petersburg Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Petersburg Campaign in order.