In June 1864, to deny General Robert E. Lee the use of the South Side Railroad and the Richmond and Danville Railroad, General Ulysses S. Grant sent General James H. Wilson and General August V. Kautz south of Petersburg on a cavalry raid to destroy track and rolling stock. While returning to the safety of the Union lines at Petersburg after accomplishing most of his mission, Wilson learned on June 28 that a small force of Confederate infantry and cavalry was posted here. About noon, Wilson attempted to force his way through to Ream’s Station just as Confederate General Wade Hampton’s cavalry appeared, and the two forces collided. The Federals checked the Confederate assault and both sides engaged in a series of unsuccessful counterattacks. By 10 p.m., Wilson had decided to sidestep Hampton’s right flank and reach Ream’s Station by an old stage road. In the confusion of battle, darkness, and ignorance of the terrain, the Federals stumbled through the gloom until they finally found the correct road to Ream’s Station. Sharp skirmishing continued through the night as the Confederates attempted to flank Wilson’s rear guard. At daylight, coordinated Confederate counterattacks split the Federal force and about 800 Union cavalrymen were captured.