[Illustration: (1)]
UNION TROOPS ADVANCE ON PETERSBURG
JUNE 15-18, 1864. PORTION OF ORIGINAL CONFEDERATE LINE CAPTURED AND
NEW LINE BUILT NEARER CITY
JUNE 22-23, 1864. UNION ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE THE WELDON R. R. TURNED
BACK
[Illustration: (2)]
JULY 30, 1864. THE CRATER. UNION ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE PETERSBURG BY
SURPRISE FAILED.
AUGUST 16-21, 1864. UNION TROOPS CAPTURE THE WELDON R. R.
SEPTEMBER 29-30, 1864. BATTLE OF PEEBLES' FARM. UNION LINES PUSHED
WEST OF THE WELDON R. R.
[Illustration: (3)]
OCTOBER 27, 1864. BATTLE OF BURGESS MILL UNION DRIVE TOWARD THE
SOUTHSIDE R. R. TURNED BACK
FEBRUARY 5-7, 1865. UNION TROOPS CUT BOYDTON PLANK ROAD AND EXTEND
LINE TO HATCHER'S RUN
MARCH 25, 1865. FORT STEDMAN. CONFEDERATE OFFENSIVE FAILS.
APRIL 1, 1865. BATTLE OF FIVE FORKS. UNION VICTORY OPENS WAY TO
SOUTHSIDE R. R.
APRIL 2, 1865. UNION FORCES BREAK THROUGH OUTER DEFENSES OF CITY AND
REACH APPOMATTOX RIVER
NIGHT OF APRIL 2-3, 1865. CONFEDERATES EVACUATE PETERSBURG AND RETREAT
WEST. UNION TROOPS ENTER CITY MORNING OF APRIL 3
UNION ARMY SETS OUT IN IMMEDIATE PURSUIT OF THE CONFEDERATES ON APRIL
3
The next step was to send a division of infantry to gain possession of
the siege lines north and south of the fallen bastion. When the breach
had been sufficiently widened, Southern cavalry were to rush through and
destroy telegraphic communication with Grant's headquarters at City
Point. They were also ordered to cut the military railroad. Additional
reserves were to follow the cavalry.
The attack was scheduled for the morning of March 25. The 50 axemen and
the 300 soldiers who were to make up the advance columns were given
strips of white cloth to wear across their breasts in order to tell
friend from foe. The officers in charge were given the names of Union
officers known to be in the vicinity and were told to shout their
assumed names if challenged. Beginning about 3 a. m., Confederates
professing to be deserters crossed to the Union pickets with requests to
surrender. Their actual purpose was to be near at hand to overwhelm the
unsuspecting pickets when the attack began.
At 4 a. m. Gordon gave the signal, and the Confederates sprang forward.
At first the attack went as planned. Blue-clad pickets were silenced so
effectively that not a shot was fired. Union obstructions were quickly
hewn down by the axemen, and the small vanguard of 300 swept through
Battery 10 which stood immediately north of Fort Stedman. They then
rushed into the fort from the northwest. The sleeping, or partially
awakened, occupants were completely surprised and surrendered without a
fight. Battery 11 to the south of Fort Stedman was also soon in
Confederate hands. Union resistance in this early stage was ineffective,
although Battery 11 was recaptured for a brief time.
More Confederates pressed into the torn line. While the three columns
set out in the general direction of City Point and along the Prince
George Court House Road behind Stedman, other infantry units moved north
and south along the Federal emplacements. To the north they captured the
fortifications as far as Battery 9 where they were stopped by the Union
defenders. In the opposite direction they progressed as far as the
ramparts of Fort Haskell. A desperate struggle ensued, but here, too,
the Northerners refused to yield. Despite these checks, the Confederates
were now in possession of about three-fourths of a mile of the Union
line.
In the center of the Confederate attack the three small columns quickly
advanced as far as Harrison's Creek--a small stream which winds its way
north to the Appomattox River 650 yards behind Fort Stedman. One of the
columns succeeded in crossing the stream and continuing toward a small
Union artillery post on the site of what had been Confederate Battery 8,
but canister from the post forced the column back to the creek.
Confusion took hold of the Confederates who were unable to locate the
positions they had been ordered to capture in the rear of the Union
line. Artillery fire from Northern guns on a ridge to the east held them
on the banks of Harrison's Creek. By 6 a. m. their forward momentum had
been checked.
Union infantry then charged from the ridge to attack the Southerners.
The forces joined battle along the banks of Harrison's Creek and the
Confederates were soon forced back to Fort Stedman. For a brief time
they held their newly captured positions. At 7:30 a. m. Gen. John F.
Hartranft advanced on them with a division of Northern troops. Heavy
musket and artillery fire on Gordon's men threatened them with
annihilation unless they retired to their own lines soon. Shortly after
7:30 a. m., Gordon received an order from Lee to withdraw his men. The
order was quickly dispatched across the open fields to the soldiers in
the captured Union works. By now, however, the line of retreat was raked
by a vicious crossfire and many Confederates preferred surrender to
withdrawal. About 7:45 a. m., the Union line was completely restored and
the forlorn Southern hope of a successful disruption of Northern
communications, followed by secret withdrawal from the city, was now
lost. Equally bad, if not worse, to the Confederates was the loss of
more than 4,000 killed, wounded, and captured as compared to the Union
casualties of less than 1,500.
Of the three Confederate plans of action before the Battle of Fort
Stedman, now only the second--retreat--was possible. The situation
demanded immediate action, for, even as Gordon had been preparing on
March 24 to launch his attack, Grant had been engaged in planning more
difficulties for the harassed defenders of Petersburg.
_Union Encirclement Becomes a Reality_
The coming of better weather heralded the opportunity for the final
blows against the city. Grant, who was now passing some of the most
anxious moments of his life, planned that this effort should be
concentrated on the extreme right of the long Confederate line which
protected Richmond and Petersburg. This meant that hostilities would
soon commence somewhere west of Hatcher's Run, perhaps in the
neighborhood of Dinwiddie Court House or a road junction called Five
Forks which lay 17 miles southwest of Petersburg. On March 24, Grant
ordered the II and IX Corps and three divisions of the Army of the James
to the extreme left of the Union lines facing Lee. This resulted in a
strong concentration southwest of Hatcher's Run. Two days later Gen.
Philip Sheridan arrived in City Point, fresh from a victorious campaign
in the Shenandoah Valley, and was ordered to join his troops to the
concentration on the left. Finally, it began to appear as if the Army of
Northern Virginia was to be encircled.
Meanwhile, Lee was waiting only until he collected supplies and rations
to last his men for a week and until the roads were passable before
leaving to join Johnston. He hoped to leave on or about April 10. The
information he received about the rapid accumulation of Union forces
opposite his lightly held right was very disturbing, for it not only
threatened to cut off his retreat to the west and south, but it also
posed a serious danger to the Southside Railroad--the last remaining
communication of Petersburg with the south, which continued to deliver a
trickle of supplies to the city. So, while Sheridan was assembling his
troops around Dinwiddie, Lee issued orders on March 29 which sent
Generals George E. Pickett and Fitzhugh Lee to the Confederate right
near Five Forks, far beyond Petersburg.
[Illustration: _Union soldiers on the ramparts of Confederate Fort
Mahone, April 2, 1865._ Courtesy, National Archives.]
Sheridan was prepared to move against the Confederates with his cavalry
on March 30, but heavy rains lasting from the evening of March 29 until
the morning of the 31st made a large-scale movement impracticable over
the unpaved roads. During the storm he kept his horses around Dinwiddie.
On the last day of the month a portion of Sheridan's forces which had
pushed northwest toward Five Forks were engaged by Southern forces who
succeeded in driving them back toward the main Union troop concentration
at Dinwiddie Court House. Pickett, the Confederate leader, then found
his men badly outnumbered and withdrew them to Five Forks without
pressing the advantage he had gained. This incident, often called the
Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, was a minor Confederate victory,
although Sheridan's men were neither demoralized nor disorganized by the
attack, and Lee could find small comfort in the situation. Lee was able
to concentrate on his right only about 10,600 cold and hungry
Confederates to meet the expected Union drive to turn his right flank.
Massed against him at this part of the line were more than 10,000
Northern cavalry and 43,000 infantry. The desperate urgency of Lee's
fears was indicated in the dispatch he sent to Pickett early on April 1,
the day of the struggle for Five Forks. "_Hold Five Forks at all
hazards._ Protect road to Ford's Depot and prevent Union forces from
striking the south-side railroad. Regret exceedingly your forced
withdrawal, and your inability to hold the advantage you had gained."
[Illustration: _A Union Army wagon train entering Petersburg._
Courtesy, National Archives.]
Throughout April 1, Pickett's troops worked unceasingly, erecting
barricades of logs, branches, and earth around Five Forks. At about 4 p.
m., with only 2 hours of daylight remaining, Sheridan's cavalry and
Warren's infantry attacked. While the dismounted cavalry charged the
Confederates from the front of their newly erected defense line, two
divisions of foot soldiers from the V Corps drove around to the left of
Pickett's troops and, after crossing the White Oak Road which connected
Five Forks with Petersburg, hit them on the weakly held left flank.
Lacking sufficient artillery support, the Southerners were quickly
overcome. Realizing that their position was no longer tenable, portions
of the Confederate troops tried to retreat to Petersburg, but the avenue
of escape had been cut by the Union advance across the White Oak Road.
By dusk, the Battle of Five Forks had ended. Union troops were in
possession of the disputed area. They had cut off and captured over
3,200 prisoners, while suffering a loss which was probably less than
1,000. Now the besieging forces had nearly succeeded in accomplishing
Grant's objective of encircling the city. The western extremity of Lee's
defenses had crumbled.
Those Confederates who survived the Battle of Five Forks had fallen back
to the Southside Railroad where they rallied for a defensive stand, but
darkness had prevented a Union pursuit. Grant's troops were within
striking distance of the rail line, located less than 3 miles from Five
Forks. Lee now knew that Petersburg must be evacuated without delay or
the Army of Northern Virginia would be completely cut off from outside
help and all possible escape routes would be gone.
The problem of assigning a proper significance to Five Forks is a
difficult one. It is now known that Lee and the Confederate government
officials were on the eve of the abandonment of their capital. In June
of the previous year the Southside Railroad had been a most important
objective of the invading army, but the plight of Lee's army had grown
so desperate during the intervening months that whether the railroad
remained open or not mattered little. Grant, of course, did not know
this as a positive fact, although the uncomfortable situation of his
opponents was something of which he was doubtless aware. The real
importance of Five Forks lay in the probability that, by making it more
difficult for Lee to escape, it brought the inevitable a little closer.
Brig. Gen. Horace Porter, of Grant's staff, was positive more than 30
years later that news of Sheridan's success prompted the Union commander
in chief to issue the orders for the attack that carried the city.
[Illustration: _Maj. Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, Union commander at the
Battle of Five Forks._ Courtesy, National Archives.]
_The Fall of the City_
Continuously throughout the night following the Battle of Five Forks,
the Union artillery played upon the Confederate earthworks and dropped
shells within the city. Troops were prepared for a large general assault
which had been ordered for the following dawn. At 4:40 a. m., April 2,
1865, a wide frontal attack was begun with the sound of a signal gun
from Fort Fisher. A heavy fog, however, prevented the action from
gaining full momentum until after 7 a. m.
The story of the fighting along the Petersburg front on that spring
Sunday is one of Union success over stout Confederate resistance. The
Union VI Corps, under Gen. Horatio G. Wright, broke through the
Confederate right and rushed on to the Southside Railroad. Other
elements of Grant's army swept away the remnants of the Confederate
lines along Hatcher's Run. Early in the day, Lt. Gen. Ambrose P. Hill, a
Confederate corps commander, had been killed by the bullet of a Union
soldier near the Boydton Plank Road when on the way to rally his men at
Hatcher's Run.
The desperateness of the Southern position was shown when, about 10 a.
m., Lee telegraphed President Davis to inform him of the turn events had
taken at Petersburg. The message read: "I advise that all preparations
be made for leaving Richmond tonight." Davis received the message while
attending Sunday services at St. Paul's Church. He left immediately,
destroying the calm of worship, in order to prepare for evacuating the
capital. The flight of the Confederate government was promptly begun.
By midday the entire outer line to the west of Petersburg had been
captured with the exception of Forts Gregg and Baldwin. The city was now
completely surrounded except to the north. The left of the Union line
finally rested on the bank of the Appomattox River after months of
strenuous effort.
It now became apparent to Lee that he must hold an inner line west of
Petersburg until nightfall, when it would be possible for him to retreat
from the city. While gray-clad troops were forming along this line built
on the banks of Old Indian Town Creek, the defenders of Forts Gregg and
Baldwin put up a stubborn delaying action against the Northern advance.
At Fort Gregg, particularly, there was a desperate Confederate defense.
Approximately 300 men and 2 pieces of artillery met an onslaught of
5,000 Northerners. The outcome of the struggle was determined by the
numbers in the attacking force, but the capture of Fort Gregg occurred
only after bitter hand-to-hand combat. Fort Baldwin was forced to yield
shortly after the fall of Fort Gregg. The purpose of the defense of
these two positions had been accomplished, however, for a thin but
sturdy line running behind them from Battery 45 to the Appomattox River
had been manned. Temporarily, at least, street fighting within
Petersburg had been avoided. Blows directed at this line at other
points, such as Fort Mahone near the southeast corner of the defense
works, were turned back. Yet there was no doubt in the mind of Lee and
other Southern leaders that all hope of retaining Petersburg and
Richmond was gone. It was obvious that, if the lines held the Union Army
in check on April 2, they must be surrendered on the morrow. The object
was to delay until evening when retreat would be possible.
[Illustration: _The Crater area. The bank in the background is the
original Confederate earthwork constructed in 1864._]
The close of the day found the weary Confederates concentrating within
Petersburg and making all possible plans to withdraw. Lee had issued the
necessary instructions at 3 o'clock that afternoon. By 8 p. m. the
retreat was under way, the artillery preceding the infantry across the
Appomattox River. Amelia Court House, 40 miles to the west, was
designated as the assembly point for the troops from Petersburg and
Richmond.
Grant had ordered the assault on Petersburg to be renewed early the next
morning (April 3). It was discovered at 3 a. m. that the Southern
earthworks had been abandoned, and so an attack was not necessary. Union
troops took possession of the city shortly after 4 a. m. Richmond
officially surrendered 4 hours later.
President Lincoln, who had been in the vicinity of Petersburg for
several days, came from Army Headquarters at City Point that same day
for a brief visit with Grant. They talked quietly on the porch of a
private home for an hour and a half before the President returned to
City Point. Grant with all of his army, except the detachments necessary
to police Petersburg and Richmond and to protect City Point, set out in
immediate pursuit of Lee. He left Maj. Gen. George L. Hartsuff in
command at Petersburg.
Petersburg had fallen, but it was at a heavy price. In the absence of
complete records the exact casualties will never be known, but in the
10-month campaign at least 42,000 Union troops had been killed, wounded,
and captured, while the Confederates had suffered losses of more than
28,000. Although the Northern forces had lost more men than their
opponents, they had been able to replenish them more readily. Moreover,
Grant had been prepared to utilize the greater resources at his
disposal, and the Petersburg campaign had been turned by him into a form
of relentless attrition which the Southern Army had not been able to
stand. The result had been the capture of Petersburg and, more
important, of the Southern capital. It had also resulted in the flight
of the remnants of the once mighty Army of Northern Virginia.
On the Sunday following the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, Lee's
troops at Appomattox Court House were cut off from any possibility of
uniting with Johnston in North Carolina. In this small Virginia town,
nearly 100 miles west of Petersburg, the Army of Northern Virginia, now
numbering little more than 28,000, surrendered to the Union forces.
Within a week of the fall of Petersburg the major striking force of the
Confederacy had capitulated. The Civil War finally was all but ended.
Gen. Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his army to General Sherman in North
Carolina on April 26, 1865.
[Illustration: _View from east to west across the Crater._]
_Guide to the Area_
A self-guided tour of Petersburg National Military Park may be made by
automobile. This tour, extending 27 miles, begins at the Crater and park
museum and follows the lines of earthworks around the city. It offers a
nearly complete picture of the engagements which occurred during the
campaign and gives an idea of the scope and magnitude of the area
covered by the contending forces. Throughout the tour you will have an
opportunity to study exhibits and narrative markers which will help you
to orient yourself with the terrain.
In the description of the tour which follows an attempt has been made to
provide you with a guide to all the important points of interest. The
following remarks about this description may prove useful. The total
road distances from the starting point at the Crater and park museum to
the various points of interest are shown in parentheses. The distances
are stated to the nearest tenth of a mile. All route numbers are State
or county unless they are identified as United States highway routes.
Points of historic interest are identified in capital letters (FORT
FISHER, BATTERY PEGRAM, etc.) where they are mentioned for the first
time. The numbers at the beginning of various paragraphs correspond to
the circled numbers on the Park Tour Map found on pages 26-27.
1. The CRATER (0.0) is the scene of the Battle of the Crater, July 30,
1864. You may see the results of the explosion of the Union mine and the
ground for which both armies contested. Information can be obtained at
the park museum, where there is usually a member of the staff on duty.
Talks on the Battle of the Crater and the Petersburg Campaign are given
at frequent intervals. The museum contains exhibits pertinent to the
fighting at Petersburg.
You should then follow the small "Park Tour" signs which will conduct
you to Battery 5. Return to the junction of the Crater entrance with U.
S. 460 and 501 (0.3). A _left turn_ is made on this highway (called in
1864 the JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD) which is followed to the fork where U. S.
460 branches left (east) to Norfolk (0.5). Follow U. S. 460 across the
bridge which spans the tracks of the Norfolk and Western Railroad. These
tracks are on the same approximate roadbed used by the NORFOLK AND
PETERSBURG RAILROAD in 1864-65. Continue across bridge to the
intersection of Siege Road (1.3) which is identified by a large "Park
Tour" sign. _Turn left_ on Siege Road.
2. BATTERY 16 was located at the left of this intersection. This is one
of many Union artillery emplacements constructed during the campaign.
Similar batteries were constructed by the Confederates. Siege Road
follows the Union lines east of Petersburg which were held from June 18,
1864, to April 2, 1865.
[Illustration: _An interior view of the remains of Fort Stedman._]
3. FORT MORTON (1.4). The site of this fort is a short distance past
Battery 16 and on the left of Siege Road. This fort, obliterated after
the war, was the place from which Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside directed the
attack of the Union IX Corps during the Battle of the Crater. It was a
strongly fortified position and considered by many contemporary
observers as one of the best of the nearly 50 forts surrounding the
city.
4. Union BATTERY 13 (1.7). The tour continues along Siege Road, passing
the remains of this battery, which are to the left. The Union batteries
were numbered consecutively, beginning with Battery 1 on the Appomattox
River east of Petersburg and running south and west around the city.
There were 42 of these Union batteries by the end of the campaign. In a
like manner, the Confederate batteries were numbered starting at the
river. In the original defense lines (the "Dimmock Line") there were 55
Confederate batteries.
Notice on the left of Siege Road, and at numerous other places
throughout the tour, the low breastworks which connect the forts and
batteries to make a long, continuous line. It was behind these that the
enlisted men spent much of their time during the campaign.
5. FORT HASKELL (2.0), on the left of Siege Road, is one of the best
preserved of the earthworks. The most important event in its history
occurred on the morning of March 25, 1865, when the defense made here by
Union troops helped turn the tide against the Confederates during the
Battle of Fort Stedman. The moat, or ditch, around the embankments was
made more formidable at that time with the aid of sharpened stakes
(fraise) or brush (abatis). Chevaux-de-frise (timbers with sharpened
stakes driven through at right angles) may also have been placed outside
the moat. Gabions (cylindrical wicker baskets) and sandbags were placed
on the fortifications to protect them from shot and shell. All of these
devices were used regularly by both armies.
Siege Road crosses the Union siege line a short distance beyond Fort
Haskell so that the earthworks are now on the right (east) of you. The
road leads through a ravine.
6. BATTERY 11 (2.3) is situated at the top of the rise from the ravine.
This, along with BATTERY 12 (since destroyed), was captured by the
Confederates in the Battle of Fort Stedman, March 25, 1865. In the
course of the engagement that followed, the battery changed hands
several times. After the final Southern withdrawal that same day, the
battery remained in Northern possession until the end of the war.
7. FORT STEDMAN (2.4) is close to Battery 11. The site is marked by
well-preserved remains. This Union fort was the place selected by
Confederate General Gordon for his attack on Grant's supply line. This
attack occurred only 15 days before Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court
House and was the last large-scale offensive movement of the Army of
Northern Virginia. Although captured by the Confederates shortly after 4
a. m. on March 25, 1865, it was regained by the Northern forces within 4
hours. Fort Stedman also stands on the site of heavy fighting on June
18, 1864, when Grant failed to break the defense line that had been
built the night before. However, the fort was not constructed until a
month following this opening battle. Inside the fort is a monument
erected by the State of Pennsylvania to the memory of the 3d Division,
IX Corps, Army of the Potomac, which participated in the Battle of Fort
Stedman.
Twenty-five yards past the Fort Stedman trailside exhibit, _turn left_
on Sortie Road. This road passes between the lines and indicates their
proximity at this point.
[Illustration: _Battery 5 on the original Confederate defense line,
captured by Union forces on June 15, 1864._]
[Illustration: _Monument to Col. George W. Gowen, 48th Pennsylvania
Regiment, killed in the assault on Fort Mahone, April 2, 1865._]
8. The MAINE MONUMENT may be seen near the bottom of the gentle slope on
the right (north) of Sortie Road. This marks the scene of the heaviest
fighting on June 18, 1864. At this point the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery
suffered the heavy casualties referred to in the text.
9. COLQUITT'S SALIENT (2.6) is reached after traversing the short
distance between the lines. This fortified position was named for
Confederate Gen. A. H. Colquitt. It was one of the closest to the Union
lines and was selected by Gordon as the place from which to launch the
attack of March 25, 1865.
10. GRACIE's DAM ruins (2.8) are behind Colquitt's Salient. This dam was
one of several constructed by the Confederates around the city in order
to flood the ground between the lines and prevent a surprise attack.
The tour continues around Colquitt's Salient and back to Siege Road. A
_left turn_ is made on Siege Road where it is followed by a _right turn_
on PRINCE GEORGE COURT HOUSE ROAD (3.2) 50 yards north. This road is a
colonial stage route which connected Petersburg with Prince George Court
House. Part of the road has been restored. It leads east behind the
Union siege line and in the general direction of Grant's supply base at
City Point.
11. HARRISON'S CREEK (3.5) is the major point of historic interest on
this road. On the banks of this stream the Confederate drive of March
25, 1865, was checked by a Union artillery barrage from a low ridge to
the east followed by charges of Blue-clad infantry.
Continue straight on Prince George Court House Road to Attack Road
(4.1). This is the first intersection past Harrison's Creek.
12. BATTERY 9. The partially destroyed remains of this battery may be
seen across Attack Road. This Confederate artillery position was part of
the "Dimmock Line." It was captured by Union troops advancing from the
north in the early evening of June 15, 1864. About one-third of a mile
southeast of this point Prince George Court House Road crossed Grant's
military railroad. MEADE'S STATION, an important Union supply and
hospital depot, was located at this intersection.
A _left turn_ is made on Attack Road. The tour now travels north along
the site of the original Confederate line ("Dimmock Line").
13. BATTERY 8 (4.5) lies to the left of a sharp curve in Attack Road.
This Confederate battery, like Battery 9, was part of the line which
fell on June 15, 1864. It was turned into a Union artillery post named
FORT FRIEND and, ironically, guns placed here by the Northerners were
used to repel the Confederates who had broken the line at Fort Stedman.
The spires of Petersburg may be seen about 2½ miles west of Battery 8.
Continue on Attack Road to the intersection (4.9) with State Route 36
(Petersburg-Hopewell Road). _Turn right_ on this highway and continue to
the _entrance to the park on the left_. This entrance is marked by a
large "Petersburg National Military Park" sign (5.1). _Turn left_ on
this road.
14. BATTERY 5 (5.4) is located at the end of this short park road. This
is another of the original Confederate works which fell on the evening
of June 15. The Union Army renamed it BATTERY 4. You may follow a path
through the battery and observe the commanding position it held against
attack from the north and east. Grant's troops overcame this by slipping
around to the southwest and entering it there. This path also leads to a
full-size replica of the large siege mortar known as "THE DICTATOR," or
"THE PETERSBURG EXPRESS." This huge 17,000-pound, 13-inch mortar shelled
Petersburg from the approximate position where the replica now stands.
To continue the tour proceed on Mortar Road, which encircles Battery 5,
and brings you back to State Route 36 (1 mile). Retrace your route from
this point to the intersection (10.7) of U. S. 460 and 301.
At the intersection of U. S. 460 and 301A _turn left_ on U. S. 301 and
continue to intersection (11.8) with U. S. 301A.
15. The GOWEN MONUMENT erected in honor of Col. George W. Gowen, a Union
officer from Pennsylvania, who was killed on the last day of battle at
Petersburg, April 2, 1865, stands at the right of this intersection.
16. "FORT HELL" (FORT SEDGWICK) of the Union line may be seen on the
left of U. S. 301, a short distance past the Gowen Monument. It was
given its nickname because of the heavy Confederate artillery fire,
which was concentrated there when the fort was begun. Fort Sedgwick is
now privately owned.
17. FORT DAVIS. Continue on U. S. 301 until you come to this fort, on
the right of the highway (12.5). It is one of the best remaining
examples of Union works. Near here Grant launched his first attack on
the WELDON RAILROAD on June 21-22, 1864, but was driven back. Within the
fort, evidences of "bombproofs" and traversing trenches still exist.
_Turn right_ on to Flank Road at Fort Davis. This follows the Union
siege lines south and southwest of Petersburg. Low breastworks still
remain between the forts and batteries in many places.
18. FORT ALEXANDER HAYS (13.5). On the right of Flank Road may be seen
the almost completely obliterated remains of this fort. It was built in
August and September of 1864.
19. Union BATTERY 24 (13.9) Stands on the left of Flank Road. This, like
other batteries on both sides, was very active during the siege
operations. It participated in the final artillery barrage during the
night of April 1-2, 1865.
20. BATTERY 25 (14.4) will next be seen as you continue driving to the
west on the tour.
21. The site of FORT HOWARD is approximately one-third of a mile beyond
Battery 25, although not visible from the tour route. At Battery 25 the
Union line crosses Flank Road and continues north, or right, of the
road.
22. BATTERY 26 (15.3), like Battery 25, is found on the left. Near this
battery Flank Road recrosses the earthworks.
The next important landmark after passing Battery 26 is the junction
(16.0) of Flank Road with State Route 604 (Halifax Road). In front of
you is the monument to Johnson Hagood's South Carolina brigade, and Fort
Wadsworth.
23. FORT WADSWORTH stands on the left, a short distance past this
intersection. This was a strategically located position for the Union
Army, as it was close to the tracks of the Weldon Railroad. In this
vicinity, but before Fort Wadsworth was built, the Battle of Globe
Tavern was fought on August 18-21, 1864. The site of GLOBE TAVERN is
about one-half mile southeast of Fort Wadsworth. Globe Tavern was Gen.
G. K. Warren's headquarters during the August battle.
Directly west of Fort Wadsworth, Flank Road underpasses the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad. The tour continues straight west, following Union
infantry breastworks on the left, to the intersection (16.7) with State
Route 675. State Route 675 may be found mentioned in Civil War
dispatches as VAUGHAN ROAD. A _left turn_ is made on State Route 675.
24. The POPLAR GROVE NATIONAL CEMETERY entrance (16.2) is identified by
a marker. _Turn left_ on to the cemetery grounds. Poplar Grove is
situated on ground captured by the Union Army in the fight for the
Weldon Railroad, August 18-21. In the winter of 1864-65, the 50th New
York Engineers, encamped here, constructed a large log church. The
cemetery contains the graves of more than 6,000 soldiers and veterans,
of which over 4,000 are unknown. Nearly all are Union veterans of the
Civil War.
After a drive through the cemetery grounds the tour returns to State
Route 675 (17.9). _Turn right_ and drive north to the junction (18.3)
with State Route 676 which intersects 675 on the left. A _turn_ is made
on Route 676. That route is followed to the end, where it connects with
State Route 613 (19.1), known to history as the SQUIRREL LEVEL ROAD.
[Illustration: _The moat and embankments of Union Fort Davis._]
25. Union FORT URMSTON was constructed in the autumn and early winter of
1864 on the west side of the Squirrel Level Road. It was named in honor
of a Union officer killed at the Battle of Peebles' Farm (September
29-October 1, 1864). The heaviest fighting of this engagement took place
around Peebles' Farm, three-quarters of a mile southwest of here.
_Turn left_ on State Route 613 and continue to the intersection (19.6)
with State Route 672 (CHURCH ROAD). State Route 672 is the right fork at
this intersection. _Turn_ on this road and continue in a northwest
direction.
26. FORT FISHER (20.3) is situated on the right side of the road. This
Union stronghold is in an excellent state of preservation, and it is one
of the largest earthen forts constructed in the Civil War. Fort Fisher
played an important part in the campaign after it was built in late
1864. Near it was a 150-foot Union watchtower used to observe enemy
movements and to spot artillery fire. Behind it, a short distance to the
south, was a field of execution for military offenders and spies where,
according to one observer, violators paid the supreme penalty nearly
every week. It was a signal gun from Fort Fisher which boomed the
beginning of the final assault on the defenses of Petersburg, April 2,
1865.
27. FORTS WELCH and GREGG. On the left of the road the Union line
continues to these forts, the remains of which are not visible from the
road.
The tour is resumed on State Route 672, or Church Road. This runs from
the Union to the Confederate line. The road crosses the tracks of the
Seaboard Air Line Railroad and, later, overpasses the Norfolk and
Western Beltline Railroad. The direction of the tour is north toward the
Appomattox River (21.8). _Turn right_ at the intersection with State
Route 603 and continue to the end of State Route 672 (21.3) where it
intersects State Route 142. This road (142) was named the BOYDTON PLANK
ROAD at the time of the siege. _Turn right_ on State Route 142. The
direction of the tour is east along the Confederate defense line which
was built south of Petersburg.
28. Confederate FORT GREGG (22.4). The partially destroyed remains of
this fort are located nearly opposite a Union fort of the same name.
Fort Gregg is situated about 100 yards to the left, or north, of the
highway. It is memorable for the desperate struggle it put up against
the Union attack on April 2, 1865. When it fell, the last Confederate
stronghold on the outer line west of the city was in Northern hands.
29. FORT LEE (23.3). Continue on State Route 142 to this fort and
junction with Park Road (Defense Road) on the right. Originally Battery
45 on the "Dimmock Line," Fort Lee was renamed in honor of the
Confederate commander in chief. It was successfully held after the outer
line fell on April 2, but was evacuated when the Confederates fled from
Petersburg that night.
_Turn right_ on Defense Road at Fort Lee and continue to the junction
(23.8) with the Squirrel Level Road (State Route 613). On the right, or
south, of Defense Road may be seen the remains of Confederate
breastworks. _Cross_ Squirrel Level Road and follow Defense Road. A
short distance past this intersection the route underpasses the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad. After winding through a stand of tall pine trees,
Defense Road merges with City Park Road (25.0).
[Illustration: _Poplar Grove National Cemetery._]
30. BATTERY PEGRAM, an important Confederate artillery position, lies
100 yards to the right of this point.
The tour continues straight on City Park Road, which is a continuation
of Defense Road. This curves through a ravine and, on the right, as the
ascent from the ravine is begun, is Wilcox Lake, owned by the city of
Petersburg.
31. FORT WALKER (25.5) is at the top of the hill. This, like Fort Lee,
was taken by the Union troops after Lee's withdrawal during the night of
April 2-3, 1865.
At Fort Walker, City Park Road _merges_ with South Boulevard. This
street approximates the Confederate defense line and now passes through
the Walnut Hill section of Petersburg. Follow South Boulevard to the
junction (26.6) with South Sycamore Street (U. S. 301).
[Illustration: _Interior of Confederate Fort Mahone as it looked
shortly after its capture in April 1865._ Courtesy, National
Archives.]
32. Confederate FORT MAHONE was situated near the large Pennsylvania
Monument which is visible 150 yards to the right of this intersection.
This fort was the scene of heavy fighting on April 2, 1865.
You may turn on South Sycamore Street if you so desire. A right turn
will lead toward Emporia, Va.; a left turn north toward Richmond.
Cross South Sycamore Street and continue on South Boulevard to
intersection (26.8) with U. S. 301. _Turn left_ on U. S. 301 and return
to the Crater (28.0) and park museum where tour commenced.
In addition to these tours you may follow U. S. 1 south to the point
where Gen. A. P. Hill fell, and on to Hatcher's Run, Burgess' Mill, and
Dinwiddie Court House. These, and other important historical points, are
identified by Virginia State historical markers. Four miles south of U.
S. 460, west of Petersburg, is the Five Forks Battlefield where the
fight occurred on April 1, 1865. The point closest to it on U. S. 460 is
also indicated by a Virginia marker.
_How To Reach the Park_
The city of Petersburg, 23 miles south of Richmond, Va., is on U. S. 1,
301, 301A, and 460 and may also be reached by railroad or bus.
Petersburg National Military Park lies southeast of the city. You are
advised to begin your tour of the park by first going to the Crater and
park museum. They may be reached by U. S. 301 and 460.
_Administration_
Petersburg National Military Park, established by act of Congress
approved July 3, 1926, has a gross acreage of more than 1,500. It is a
part of the National Park System owned by the people of the United
States and administered for them by the National Park Service of the
Department of the Interior. Communications and inquiries should be
addressed to the Superintendent, Petersburg National Military Park,
Petersburg, Va.
_Related Areas_
There are numerous other Civil War battlefields located in Virginia
within easy driving distance of Petersburg National Military Park. Among
them are Manassas and Richmond National Battlefield Parks and
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. The site of the
surrender of Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant and his
Union forces is also commemorated by Appomattox Court House National
Historical Park.
Two important battles outside the boundaries of Virginia in which the
Army of Northern Virginia engaged were at Antietam National Battlefield
Site, Md., and Gettysburg National Military Park, Pa. These areas are
also administered by the National Park Service for the benefit of the
people of the United States.
_Visitor Facilities_
For the visitor's convenience and information, the park offers the
following facilities and services: extensive drives and foot trails
marked with interpretive devices; a field museum and library which is
located in the Museum and Administration Building at the Crater; and
frequent talks on the Battle of the Crater and the Petersburg Campaign.