The Petersburg (Weldon) Railroad carried much needed supplies north from the south to Petersburg and Richmond, including shipments that came through the Confederacy's only functioning Atlantic port at Wilmington, North Carolina. In August 1864, Union forces gained a foothold on the railroad after fierce fighting at Globe Tavern a few miles north of here, and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant sent Gen. Winfield S. Hancock with combined infantry and cavalry to build on that success and complete the mission. On August 25, Confederate cavalry under Gen. Wade Hampton checked the Union advance and railroad destruction while Gen. A.P. Hill moved Confederate infantry into position, leading to the conflict known as the Second Battle of Reams Station. As the fighting grew more intense, Federal troops dug trenches, placed artillery, and turned back two Confederate assaults, but a third attack shattered the Union line and forced Hancock's men to retreat. The battle cost both sides about 3,561 killed, wounded, or missing, and the Confederates captured nine cannons, 12 flags, and 2,046 prisoners.