During the engagement of April 6, 1865, the Hillsman House was used by Union forces as a hospital. From the west side of the creek, Confederates charged and broke through Union infantry but were stopped by batteries along the hillside there. A mass surrender followed, including corps commander Gen. R. S. Ewell, several other generals, many colonels, about 7000 rank and file, and several hundred wagons, the largest unstipulated surrender of the war. At the same time, another engagement took place two miles north on the main Sailor's (Sayler's) Creek, where Gen. John B. Gordon repulsed pursuing Union troops. He lost most of his wagons but saved the majority of his men. At this time Gen. Robert E. Lee was retreating from Petersburg toward Danville, closely followed by Gen. Grant. Lee lost half of his troops in these two memorable rearguard actions, which foreshadowed the surrender at Appomattox three days later.