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[Illustration: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR · March 3, 1849]
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Stewart L. Udall, _Secretary_
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Conrad L. Wirth, _Director_
_HISTORICAL HANDBOOK NUMBER THIRTEEN_
This publication is one of a series of handbooks describing the
historical and archeological areas in the National Park System
administered by the National Park Service of the United States
Department of the Interior. It is printed by the Government Printing
Office and may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents,
Washington 25, D. C.
Price 25 cents.
PETERSBURG
_National Military Park, Virginia_
_by Richard Wayne Lykes_
[Illustration: Wickerware.]
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES NO. 13
Washington, D. C., 1951
(Reprint 1961)
_The National Park System, of which this area is a unit, is dedicated to
conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United
States for the benefit and inspiration of its people._
[Illustration: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR]
_Contents_
_Page_
The Union Strategy of 1864 2
The Strategic Importance of Petersburg 4
The Battle of Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864 8
First Union Attempt on the Weldon Railroad 11
The Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864 12
The Fight for the Weldon Railroad 22
Union Encirclement Continues 25
The South Strikes Back--the Battle of Fort Stedman 34
Union Encirclement Becomes a Reality 39
The Fall of the City 43
Guide to the Area 46
How to Reach the Park 55
Administration 56
Related Areas 56
Visitor Facilities 56
TABLE OF EVENTS