Petersburg, Virginia

Poplar Grove National Cemetery

Petersburg national Battlefield – Virginia

Each Memorial Day flags mark the graves of over 6000 Union and 36 Confederate soldiers who died on the Battlefields around Petersburg. This National Cemetery is preserved as a perpetual memorial.

 

Fort Hell

U.S. Route 301

South City Limits of Petersburg, Va.

Constructed by the Union Army during the Siege of Petersburg (1864-65). Named after Gen. John Sedgwick, but nicknamed Fort Hell because of the constant cannon fire it poured on the Confederate lines. Open year ‘round. View of Magazine and Artillery Officers’ Headquarters.

Petersburg, Virginia

“The Battle of the Crater”

Petersburg, Virginia

This painting of the famous Civil War Battle was painted by John A. Elder, (1833-1895). It depicts the scene on July 30th 1864, showing the charge of Mahone’s Virginia Brigade in an attempt to recapture the Confederate Defense Line after it had been broken by an explosion of an Union Mine. The Crater is located in the Petersburg National Military park, Virginia.

 

“The Dictator”

Petersburg National Battlefield, Virginia

Union Soldiers gave this name to a Civil War 13 inch mortar, which shelled Petersburg. This is a replica on the Dictator’s historic site.

 

The Battle of Fort Gregg

Petersburg National Battlefield, Virginia

This picture shows the “Homeric defense” of the Forts garrison against overwhelming Union forces on April 2, 1865. The defiance of the Confederates is exemplified by the scene which shows Artilleryman Berry yelling at Union attackers as he pulles the lanyard, “Shoot and be damned!”

Petersburg, Virginia

Stedman, Union Siege Line

Petersburg National Military Park, VA.

These 12 pounder “Napoleons” are aimed towards the Confederate Defense Line surrounding Petersburg. Here on March 25, 1865, General Lee’s troops in their Last Grand Offensive captured Fort Stedman. They were unable to break through, and were forced back in the same day.

 

Blandford Church

Petersburg, Virginia

This Colonial church, constructed in 1735-37, has been restored as a Confederate Memorial Chapel. In the adjacent cemetery, which dates from 1702, are buried veterans of eight wars, including thousands of Confederates killed during the Siege of Petersburg.

 

“The Crater” as it appears today

Petersburg National Military Park, Va.

“The Crater”, was formed on the morning of July 30, 1864, when the Union Army exploded 4 tons of gunpowder beneath a Confederate fortification, opening the way into Petersburg. Union troops were unable to break-out the Crater area, and after heavy losses were soon forced back to their lines.

Petersburg, Virginia

Greetings from Petersburg, Virginia

Mahone Monument

Directly in front of the Crater which can be seen in the background, was erected to the memory of Confederate General Wm. Mahone and his gallant brigade. His valor and strategy prevented the Union forces from blasting a hole under Confederate lines and capturing Petersburg on July 30, 1864.

 

Once a golf club, then the Superintendent’s residence, this building now houses the Park’s museum, assembly room, and administrative offices.  It is located near the Crater, scene of an ingenious attempt to blast a hole under the Confederate line and so to capture Petersburg.