As I left High Bridge Trail State Park, I decided to take State Route 307, which would take me to the entrance road (Route 617, or Sayler's Creek Road) north to Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park. Virginia’s state park system features several battlefield sites, among them Staunton River, Sailor’s Creek and Leesylvania.

(I must disclose that the Civil War loomed ever-present in my childhood: a saber here, a doll there, coin silver spoons, letters, rumors of heroics, stories of wounds and deprivation, UDC, stops at cemeteries and battlegrounds in South Carolina, North Carolina, the trip to Atlanta. After college, I largely shoved everything associated with 1861 – 1865 to the way-back burner. It took living in Virginia and the enthusiastic, informative and evenhanded approach of Don Pierce (The Civil War Traveler) to pique my interest. Why, thanks to Don, we even had a round-Richmond battlefield birthday party one year for one of the kids.)

I pulled into the not-yet-opened Visitor’s Center, and by chance Ranger Kenneth Townsend unlocked the door and proudly showed off the brand-spanking-new interior. “The gift shop and displays will be up and running for spring and summer,” he announced, “and the building just won an award for its green design!” Indeed it did. According to a press release on the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website, “A new visitor center at Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical State Park has received LEED Silver certification for its use of environmentally sensitive practices and materials during its construction. This is the second visitor center constructed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to receive the coveted LEED certification and the first to reach the Silver level.”

With the upcoming Civil War Sesquicentennial starting next year, this site, of what was essentially the final bloody battle of the war, is ready! It includes a visitor’s center, sloping green fields, a thickly forested, deep-gullied creek, and the recently refurbished 18th-century Overton-Hillsman House, which served as "sky box" for the battle and, more importantly, as hospital for both Union and Confederate troops. It is, however, the interpretive signage and historical aids that allow one to conjure the brief havoc, the ravage, the futility, the bravery of what took place down in the muck alongside and in the creek, and ultimately, the effect of this battle on Lee’s decision at Appomattox. It was called the Black Thursday of the Confederacy, with 7,700 Confederates, including eight generals, surrendered or "lost"—a major defeat for Lee’s army.

The meticulously painted and restored Hillsman House is opened to the public during summer hours with living history events held throughout the year.  Virginia State Parks: Sailor's Creek or 804-561-7150