A few more tid-bits to add to the bigger picture of events that were happening at the time. Confederate forces that were exiting Petersburg took several different routes. The forces that ended up going by Namozine were the segment of the Confederate line on the far right that had been cut off from the rest of the forces in Petersburg. Unable to retreat via Petersburg to cross the Appomattox River with the rest, they had to take another route that isolated them on the South side of the Appomattox River. This also allowed the pursuing Federal cavalry better access to remain hot on their heels the entire time.

From Petersburg to Amelia Court House it was hot running fight most of the entire time. Rear guards pausing to try to delay or hold off the chasers repeatedly along, to buy time for other units to get further up the road out of harms way. Many of these little mini battles and skirmishes tended to run together and/or never earned an official title or name to them, or engagements grouped together that were actually separate actions, in different places. Mentions of Scotts Cross Roads, Cousins Road, Green Road, Tabernacle Church, Beaver Pond Creek, are just a few of the locations where activity took place. There was also a hot little fight a couple miles down the road at Namozine Creek just prior to the action at Namozine Church.

Sometimes a challenge to detail what took place where and with whom since official Confederate battle reports either dont exist or were very fragmented. Most accounts are post-war mentions. Initial Federal action reports usually need to be viewed cautiously as to the written word. Since the Federals were just trailing and chasing the retreating Confederate forces and in many cases didnt have a clue exactly where they were. One example account of such is that a Federal officer asked a couple Confederate Captures "where are we". The response was reportedly "Namozine Church". Apparently the Federal officer misheard it and wrote in his report "Aberdeen Church".

The only Virginia Infantry units that Im immediately aware of from memory that were in this collective group of Confederate units moving along this route was the meager remains of Picketts Division that by that time just after Five Forks only numbered around a few hundred. Many of them had already lost their flags at Five Forks, and many of those remaining would be lost at Saylors Creek a few days later. These Virginia Infantry units and a few others had already made their way past and were not engaged in the fight at Namozine Church. Bushrod Johnsons Tenn Infantry Brigade participated briefly. They had taken the wrong road at the interection at Namozine Church earlier, so had to back track to the church to take the correct road. CS Cavalry were trying to hold the location till they could return and get past. By the time they got back there the Federal Cavalry were pressing there. The appearance of Confederate Infantry made the Federals briefly pull back.

Thereafter Barringers (NC) Cavalry brigade were left behind and instructed to dig in their heels and hold off Federals "till the last"... as was overheard by several troopers in the exchange between Fitz Lee and Barringer. It was pondered if this meant to the last minute, or to the last man. But since the exchange didnt include where to meet up at after the fight... most seemed to interpret this to mean the last man... This resulting engagement is what is mostly known and refered to as the Battle of Namozine Church. The 2nd NC caught the brunt of the fray. Severely outnumbered, flanked and cut off, running out of ammunition, they counter attacked. Witnesses said the futile attack once the two forces collided... The 2nd NC simply disolved... Hense reportedly when they lost their flag at this point. The others remaining cut off from getting to their horses, fled on foot through the woods trying to escape the quickly closing envelopment.

As Greg mentioned the Flag resident at Appomattox NPS, reportedly captured by Custers younger brother at Namozine surfaced years later. It being a Virginia State seal flag of a seal design that is usually only found on 1850s era / pre-war items. A different design than is commonly found on most 1860's or war-time style flags.

Frederickk