Lee's Retreat: The Rear Guard
April 8, 1865
When Lee left Cumberland Church and marched up into the hill country around New Store Grant sent a column to follow along behind and make sure Lee didn’t try to double back. Most of Grant’s forces followed the road directly to Appomattox. Lee had his read guard dug in here at the New Hope Baptist Church to prevent a surprise attack from the Union column because he still didn't know who exactly was behind him, but attack wasn’t the column's mission, they were more like drovers herding Lee toward the bulk of the Union Army waiting at Appomattox. Having this line in place did give Lee a chance to think for a couple of days at Lee's Last Camp, which was where he finally decided to surrender.
Looking north toward any threat from attack.
Looking south toward Appomattox. The works are in the tree line on the right.
Two view of the remains of the works that made up the line.
This shot was taken a little ways down the road toward Appomattox.