The Gregory house was burned by Kautz’s troopers during the attempt to take Petersburg from the south on 9 June 1864
Richmond Enquirer, 14 June 1864
“The enemy crept up behind the residence of Mr. Wm. A. Gregory, ascended to the roof, and, knocking off the shingles, were enabled not only to obtain an excellent view, and ascertain the number of our forces, but through the openings thus made fired upon and killed many of our men behind the breastworks. The residence of Timothy Rives, Esq., fell into the possession of the invaders, after our forces retreated, and the scoundrels not only ransacked and robbed it of all its valuable contents, but then applied the torch, and burnt it to the ground. They also carried Mr. Rives off a prisoner.”
“The enemy crept up behind the residence of Mr. Wm. A. Gregory, ascended to the roof, and, knocking off the shingles, were enabled not only to obtain an excellent view, and ascertain the number of our forces, but through the openings thus made fired upon and killed many of our men behind the breastworks. The residence of Timothy Rives, Esq., fell into the possession of the invaders, after our forces retreated, and the scoundrels not only ransacked and robbed it of all its valuable contents, but then applied the torch, and burnt it to the ground. They also carried Mr. Rives off a prisoner.”
Detail from the Conferate Gilmer Map, 1863, showing the Gregory house adjacent to the Jerusalem Plank Road.
Detail from Confederate "Map of the Approaches to Petersburg and their Defenses." Gilmer, 1863. Official Atlas, plate 40:1. Gregory house is right (south) of Batteries 27 and 28 of the Dimmock Line, adjacent to the Jerusalem Plank Road.
Detail from Engineer Department Map dated July 28, 1864, site of Gregory House. (NARA) "G" marks the projected site of Fort Sedgwick. Battery 25 was built on the farm of Timothy Rives, Esq.. Battery 27 on the farm of William A. Gregory.
"Chimneys on Jerusalem Road to Petersburg Va," sketched by Charles Wellington Reed. The chimneys are what remained of the Gregory House after June 1864. Confederate skirmishers are scattered rather haphazardly along the fence line. Batteries 28 and 29 ("Fort Mahone") may be glimpsed in the background.
Last Update: 04/06/2021
