battle of petersburg location

Date. [261][263] Grimes made a third push at 3:00p.m., which recaptured a portion of Fort Mahone and sections of Union-occupied trenches east of Jerusalem Plank Road. As soon as Grant learned of the victory, at about 8:00p.m., he ordered Major General Meade to have Major Generals Humphreys and Parke ready to push against the Confederate lines to keep the Confederates from escaping from Petersburg and converging on Sheridan's force. Author Rod Andrew Jr. wrestles with this vexing challenge throughout each page of his new book about Confederate General Wade Hampton III, a man who typifies what so many are both fascinated with and perplexed by when it comes to the Civil War. [182] After enough of Penrose's men to carry an assault gathered in the moat in front of the Confederate earthworks, they stormed over the barrier and subdued the stubborn North Carolina defenders. . [161], The Confederate picket line was overwhelmed quickly by the Union attackers. Petersburg Campaign, (186465), series of military operations in southern Virginia during the final months of the American Civil War that culminated in the defeat of the South. [168][180] Lieutenant Frank S. Halliday and Corporal William Railton stopped a Confederate counterattack with a blast from one of two captured cannons. He traveled nearly 100 miles to the North Carolina coast, then took a captured Confederate blockade runner to City Point. Coordinates: 37.2038N 77.3831W The Battle of Petersburg was an unsuccessful Union assault against the earthworks fortification, the Dimmock Line, protecting the city of Petersburg, Virginia, June 9, 1864, [3] during the American Civil War. [123] Lee noted that Sheridan was in a position to sever the South Side Railroad and the Richmond and Danville Railroad and that consideration must be given to "evacuating their position on the James River at once. If the Confederates could quickly defeat Sherman, they might turn back to oppose Grant before he could combine his forces with Sherman's. A wide gap also existed between the Union infantry and Sheridan's nearest cavalry units near Dinwiddie Court House. [168] From their position on the Confederate flank and in their rear, Wright's seven brigades formed into a battle line as far as the Boydton Plank Road to move against Heth's men. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Trench Warfare in the Siege of Petersburg, The Tide Turns In The Petersburg Campaign, meeting between Grant, Lincoln, and Sherman, https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/petersburg-campaign. It is safe to say that the Battle of Petersburg was a pivotal one in the American Civil War. When the XXIV Corps followed the VI Corps' advance, Major General Ord sent an engineer, Lieutenant Colonel Peter S. Michie, to find a location for a defensive line in the event the Confederates counterattacked. The IX Corps recaptured the fort and batteries, forced the Confederates to return to their lines and in places to give up their advance picket line. [126][137] Miles's and Brigadier General (Brevet Major General) Gershom Mott's divisions from Humphreys corps attacked at once but could not do more than drive in the Confederate pickets as Confederate artillery opened up on them. Hill and Robert E. Lee both learned of the breakthrough soon after it occurred. [163], Despite being disorganized by the need to deal with the obstructions, the Vermonters rushed over the Confederate defenses, forcing many defenders, probably from the 18th North Carolina Infantry Regiment and the 37th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, to surrender. [215] Nonetheless, the lead brigade of Brigadier General Robert S. Foster's division under Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Thomas O. Osborn immediately charged when they formed on the scene, causing Nathaniel Harris's and the North Carolina troops in the reoccupied area along Church Road to pull back toward the forts without offering any serious opposition. Location: Petersburg Virginia. [213][230][231] Union veterans reported that the interior of the fort was a pool of blood with dead and dying men strewn about in its small area by the time the surviving Confederates finally surrendered. [47][48] Lee ordered Major General Bushrod Johnson to have his remaining brigades under Brigadier General Henry A. [251][252], Although lightly manned, the positions between Batteries 25 and 30, especially Fort Mahone (Battery 29), where Parke was to attack, had been considerably strengthened since their initial construction. (Grant employed Lincolns son, Robert Todd Lincoln, on his staff). Hess says the artillery barrage lasted until 1:00a.m. Hess, 2009, p. 264. [notes 13][214] Nathaniel Harris and other Confederate veterans later said that the defenders beat off three or four attacks before the attackers reached the ditch while Union accounts have the attackers reaching the ditch on the first assault, though with significant losses. [254], Parke's attackers moved forward into a mist at about 4:00a.m.[258] Thomas P. Beals, with three companies of the 31st Maine Infantry Regiment, led the attack of Potter's division on Battery No. After Lees plan to join with General Joseph E. Johnston was thwarted, he surrendered to General Grant on April 9 at Appomattox Court House. [267] By 8:30a.m., Humphrey's divisions held the Confederate works from Burgess's Mill to Claiborne Road. The first trenches were dug back in 1862, long before the siege. [notes 6][119][120][121] The Union Army held Five Forks and the road to the South Side Railroad at the end of the battle. Beginning June 9, 1864 to March 25, 1865 was the longest battle of the Civil War at nine months, was a crushing blow to the Confederate Army. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. [214] Wounded men risked drowning unless helped out of the water. [135][138][141], Opposite Ord and Wright were the Confederate brigades of Brigadier Generals Joseph R. Davis, under the command of Colonel Andrew M. Nelson, William McComb, James H. Lane and Edward L. Thomas of Major General Cadmus M. Wilcox's division of A.P. [248][271] Madill's men were exhausted from a night and morning of marching and Madill himself was severely wounded as the attack was repulsed despite a determined showing by the attackers. It was the location of the Third Battle of Petersburg, in which the Union Army broke through Confederate Army lines protecting Petersburg and Richmond on April 2, 1865, during the American Civil War. Tracy. Grants big attack came at Five Forks on April 1, where he crushed the end of Lees line southwest of Petersburg. [259], Parke's men took Batteries No. [246] Initially, Lee sent a telegram to Confederate Secretary of War John C. Breckinridge which stated: I see no prospect of doing more than holding our position here until night. READ MORE: American Civil War: Causes and Dates. [126][135][137] If the Confederates held their line, Grant said that Humphreys should send Miles's division down White Oak Road to reinforce Sheridan. [113][114] Brigadier General (Brevet Major General) Samuel W. Crawford's division swept across north of the main battle but then closed off Ford's Church Road, swept down to Five Forks and helped disperse the last line of Confederate infantry resistance. [159], The Confederate line in front of the attackers was defended by Brigadier General James H. Lane's North Carolina brigade, with sharpshooters from Brigadier General Samuel McGowan's South Carolina brigade manning the picket line. While there, Lincoln witnessed Lee make a desperate attack on Union lines at the Battle of Fort Stedman on March 25. Sheridan's cavalry consisted of two divisions commanded by Brigadier General Thomas Devin and Brigadier General (Brevet Major General) George Armstrong Custer but under the overall command of Brigadier General (Brevet Major General) Wesley Merritt, as an unofficial corps commander, and the division of Major General George Crook detached from the Army of the Potomac. Trudeau, 1994, p. 49. [98] Because of its strategic importance, General Robert E. Lee ordered Pickett to hold Five Forks at all hazards. Conquer the confederates in the last years of the American Civil War and bring peace to a nation divided. On the evening of April 2, the Confederate government fled Richmond, followed by the army. Union troops entered a conquered Richmond on April 3, 1865 after ten months of campaigning. [194] Seymour's attack had been greatly assisted by a section of Battery G, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery and the Third New York Independent Battery. [146] He also noticed an opening in the line and a plank road across the ditch for wagons as well as a few stakes missing in the obstacles for soldiers to pass through. [227] Soon the flags of the 12th West Virginia Infantry Regiment and 39th Illinois Infantry Regiment reached the top of the walls, inspiring more men to follow. A novel, if not preposterous idea. [168] Brigadier General Lane and Major General Wilcox stationed the men in Fort Gregg and Fort Whitworth, which were built along with the Boydton Plank Road Line in Fall 1864. [259] The four Union regiments in the fort could not expand their occupation of the Confederate works much farther west as they were subjected to artillery fire from the second Confederate line. Bearss identifies Gould's rescuer a sergeant. [183], To the right of Penrose's brigade, Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Joseph Hamblin's brigade had the longest distance to cross before reaching the Confederate line, which was held at that point by Brigadier General Edward L. Thomas's Georgia brigade. By years end, however, General Robert E. Lee still held Richmond and Petersburg. [213] After crossing a field of deadly fire to reach the fort, many of the attackers ran into the ditch only to be mired in water and mud. Artillerymen were also placed with the attackers to turn captured Confederate guns against them. Thus the Confederates were ill-fed to the point of physical exhaustion, and the lack of draft animals and cavalry mounts nearly immobilized the troops. [154] Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Oliver Edwards's brigade was on the left, next to Warner's brigade. They captured 249 officers and men, about half of Colonel Edwin L. Hobson's brigade in the process. Grant of Getty's division saw a ravine which cut through the Confederate line. [205] After the breakthrough, Wright had to reorganize his corps which was scattered during the breakthrough in order to proceed. At about 5:30a.m. Hill rode to meet with Lee accompanied by two orderlies and an aide, Sergeant George W. [101] They attacked from mostly positions sheltered by woods just outside the Confederate breastworks. [175] Just after Colonels Tracy's and Hyde's men had broken the Confederate line, the 139th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment under Major James McGregor closed the gap with the 102nd Pennsylvania Infantry and moved forward with some of their men and the 93rd Pennsylvania Infantry. But overall, this biography is an important contribution about a relatively lesser-known figure who probably deserves more investigation and research. Name: The Battle of Petersburg Other Names: The Second Battle of Petersburg, Assault on Petersburg Location: City of Petersburg Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865) Date (s): June 15-18, 1864 [163], The first Union soldier over the Confederate defenses was Captain Charles G. Gould of the 5th Vermont Infantry Regiment of the Vermont Brigade of Getty's division, who moved to the left of the main body through the ravine, down the Confederate picket path and over the plank bridge with three other men. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant of the Union army slipped away and began crossing the James River. [142][143] To the right of the point of attack were inundated areas and strong defenses near the Lead Works. Although they pushed the Confederate cavalry back, most Confederate cavalrymen escaped while most of the Confederate infantry became casualties or prisoners. [122][135] Grant said both Humphreys and Parke should feel for a chance to push on that night, that Humphreys should send skirmishers forward and attack if the Confederates were leaving their positions. [144] The capture of the Confederate picket line during the Battle of Jones's Farm on March 25, 1865 put the VI Corps close enough to the main Confederate line, with a covered approach to within 2,500 yards (2,300m) of the defenses, for the attack to succeed. [203], Screened by men of the 49th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment armed with Spencer repeating rifles, several regiments of Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Joseph Hamblin's brigade, including the 119th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment and the 65th New York Infantry, advanced to the right (north). [73][77] Dismounted Union troopers of Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Charles H. Smith's brigade armed with Spencer repeating carbines held up Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry attack at the southern ford, Fitzgerald's Ford. [258] Hartranft's division had similar success taking Battery No. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. . They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [170] Soon after Gould's rescue, Lieutenant Pratt of the 5th Vermont Infantry and several other men captured the battery. [125], Confederate patrols confirmed that at least the XXIV Corps from the Army of the James was now in the Petersburg lines. Throughout the long winter, Confederate soldiers hunkered down within the fortified walls of the city. The Third Battle of Petersburg, also known as the Breakthrough at Petersburg or the Fall of Petersburg, was fought on April 2, 1865, south and southwest Virginia in the area of Petersburg, Virginia, at the end of the 292-day Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (sometimes called the Siege of Petersburg) and in the beginning stage of the Appomattox Campa. The battery was operating from a position next to Lee's command post at the Turnbull House, also known as Edge Hill, located west of Rohoic Creek in front of the Dimmock Line. [146][257], When the fighting ended that evening, the stalemated armies held alternating sections of the Confederate works in this sector. [168][188] Keifer directed his leading regiment to pass through an opening in the obstructions which Union soldiers had spotted earlier. [231] The VI Corps and XXIV Corps then formed a continuous line opposite the Dimmock works. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. The remaining supply lines were cut and the Confederate defenders were reduced by over 10,000 men killed, wounded, taken prisoner or in flight. [167] He survived from his injuries after being helped back over the parapet by Corporal Henry H. [65][71], The rain continued on March 31. [269][271] Without support from the rest of the II Corps or the V Corps, Miles would soon face a hard task against the well-positioned Confederates. Confederate Casualty trenches at Petersburg April 1865. Reuters. [49][89], The Confederates did not report their casualties and losses. 37 13.562 N, 77 23.305 W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. [168][217] Nathaniel Harris personally commanded the 19th Mississippi Infantry Regiment and the 48th Mississippi Infantry Regiment and a few artillerymen, totaling about 200 men, in Fort Whitworth. [141], After careful planning during the two preceding days, Wright had chosen to attack the Confederate line from the Jones house to the left end of his line opposite Union Forts Fisher and Welch. In June 1864, Grant marched his army around the Army of Northern Virginia, crossed the James River and advanced his forces to Petersburg. Grant ordered an attack on all fronts and the Army of Northern Virginia began to retreat. Wise and Colonel Martin L. Stansel in lieu of the ill Young Marshall Moody,[47][49][50] reinforced by the brigades of Brigadier Generals Samuel McGowan and Eppa Hunton, attack the exposed Union line. Union: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant [notes 3] A back-and-forth battle ensued during which Chamberlain was wounded and almost captured. They usually present only the barest information and often neglect to add key terrain features or other landmarks that were central to unit movements and local tactics. His victory was followed by a second win for the Union Army on April 2, 1865, when General Phillip Sheridan assaulted Lees depleted right flank. Jenkins. [notes 10][167][168][169] Gould later received the Medal of Honor. [168][215] Harris's brigade, with some of Longstreet's troops from the Richmond defenses following closely behind, was sent to reinforce Lane's and Thomas's remaining troops in an effort by the Confederates to hold the Dimmock Line from the Appomattox River to Battery No. [158] The attack started in such dim light that the men still could not see much beyond the extent of their own company. I will advise you later according to circumstances.[247]. [171], While the Vermont Brigade breached the Confederate line on the left flank of the Union attack, to their right Colonel Thomas W. Hyde's brigade became disorganized in the darkness. [168][178] The Massachusetts sharpshooters were able to suppress Confederate fire to allow the pioneers to open gaps in the obstructions. Greene, 2008, p. 321 identifies Scales's brigade as under the command of Colonel Joseph H. Hyman but under the temporary command of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas S. Galloway, Jr. on April 2. [168], Confederate Brigadier General William McComb's brigade faced northwest with its right on the Boydton Plank Road Line to meet the threat from Wright's brigades. The Western Front portion of the park follows a driving tour that connects small plots of preserved land. [168] As the VI Corps surged forward, some soldiers ultimately crossed the Boydton Plank Road and reached the South Side Railroad about 1 mile (1.6km) away. Grant ordered Major General Ord to have this corps follow the VI Corps to exploit the breakthrough instead. Background German soldiers in front of burning houses and a church, near Leningrad in 1941 Leningrad's capture was one of three strategic goals in the German Operation Barbarossa and the main target of Army Group North. Keifer, 1900, p. 195 states that "Mouk" fired the fatal shot. 25. Petersburg National Battlefield Administration Office 1539 Hickory Hill Road Petersburg, VA 23803 Phone: 804 732-3531 x200 If you cannot reach us by phone - please e-mail questions to the address listed. [228], The 25 Mississippians who were detailed to defend Fort Gregg's palisaded gate in the rear were outnumbered by the Union soldiers who were able to get to the back of the fort and they became worn down by casualties. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Believing that the assault would end in a disaster similar to Cold Harbor ten months earlier, many men wrote down their names and home addresses on pieces of paper and pinned them to their shirts so their bodies could be identified afterwards. This Union victory resulted in the permanent capture of one of Confederate general Robert E. Lee 's most important supply lines. HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. [180] Rhodes and several men ran forward and jumped into the ditch in front of the line just as Lane's and Thomas's troops opened fire. [268], At 9:00a.m., Humphreys received word from Miles that he was returning and had reached a point about 2 miles (3.2km) west of Claiborne Road on White Oak Road. [126] The division commanders and Ord reported to Grant that their men could not see the defenses well enough to attack that night. [53] Brigadier General (Brevet Major General) Charles Griffin's division and the V Corps artillery under Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) Charles S. Wainwright finally stopped the Confederate advance short of crossing Gravelly Run. Beauregard. [136], Meade asked Grant for clarification because Grant previously had ordered a 4:00a.m. attack all along the line. The retreat that led to the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865 had begun. [272] Cooke's men threw up a slender line of earthworks about 0.5 miles (0.80km) long along Cox Road parallel to the railroad with an open field about 700 yards (640m) with a slight slope in front. [138] Sheridan's cavalry divisions camped at the Gilliam Farm near Five Forks while Brigadier General Ranald Mackenzie's cavalrymen, detached from the Army of the James for service with Sheridan, settled in near the Ford's Road crossing of Hatcher's Run. Ultimately the men who maintained the attack and reached the fortifications jumped over the works and broke the Confederate line. [205] While some regiments stopped along the Confederate works to collect prisoners, and many stragglers continued forward, many VI Corps men congregated at or near the Boydton Plank Road. [144] Despite the heavy fire from the main Confederate defenses and batteries, much of the initial artillery fire from the defenders was too high to hit the Union men, but the Confederate gunners soon adjusted their range. [122][135] Grant told the officers at his headquarters that he had ordered a general assault along the lines. [193] The Union men came under heavy fire as they moved forward and all five regiments became mixed as they advanced in the near darkness, but the Confederates held their fire when their own pickets began to flee toward the main line. With Confederate forces cut off from provisions and support, Lee famously said, there is nothing left me to do but to go and see Gen. Grant, and I would rather die a thousand deaths.. Hill's corps. After the Union victory at the Battle of Five Forks on April 1, in response to Grant's 9:00p.m. order for an immediate assault on the Confederate lines, Humphreys ordered Nelson A. Battle Of Petersburg Summary: The Battle of Petersburg (aka Siege of Petersburg) was a series of battles around the cities of Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 15, 1864, to April 2, 1865, during the civil war. Pictures of Confederate trenchs at Petersburg after their capture April 1865, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Third_Battle_of_Petersburg&oldid=1160656100, This page was last edited on 17 June 2023, at 23:42. Beefsteak Raid Attackers were able to gain entry to the fort from the rear at the same time that a large number of Union soldiers finally managed to gain the top of the parapet. [notes 4][61], About 5:00p.m. on March 29, 1865, Major General Philip Sheridan led two of his three divisions of Union cavalry, totaling about 9,000 men counting the trailing division, unopposed into Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia, about 4 miles (6.4km) west of the end of the Confederate lines and about 6 miles (9.7km) south of the important road junction at Five Forks. [154] Seymour's division was hard hit by shooting from Confederate pickets who had been provoked by firing from nearby Union outposts. [259], The Union attackers captured Miller's salient but then had to fight from traverse to traverse along the trenches. [189] Keifer's front ranks drove through the Confederate pickets with unloaded rifles and moved toward the abatis in front of the main line. Porter reports victory; Grant orders general assault, Grant sends Miles's division to Sheridan; Sheridan's plan, Sixth Corps breakthrough at Boydton Plank Road Line, VI Corps disperses Heth's division; XXIV Corps supports, Bearss, 2014, p. 404 states the Union loss was about 450 according to the. [18][21], On the afternoon of March 25, 1865, at the Battle of Jones's Farm, the II Corps and VI Corps captured Confederate picket lines near Armstrong's Mill which extended the left end of the Union line about 0.25 miles (0.40km) closer to the Confederate fortifications. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. That night, under orders from General Robert E. Lee, Confederate Major General Fitzhugh Lee led his cavalry division from Sutherland's Station to Five Forks to defend against an anticipated Union drive to the South Side Railroad which could sever use of that important final Confederate railroad supply line to Petersburg. Grant told his officers, The war is over. Calkins, 2002, p. 50 states that the Union force was nearly 5,000 men. I have directed General Stevens to send an officer to your Excellency to explain the routes to you by which the troops will be moved to Amelia Court-House, and furnish you with a guide and any assistance that you may require for yourself. The three men met on board Lincolns steamship, the River Queen, for two days in a row. Battle of Fredericksburg, (December 11-15, 1862), bloody engagement of the American Civil War fought at Fredericksburg, Virginia, between Union forces under Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under Gen. Robert E. Lee. [174] To the right of Hyde's brigade, Colonel (Brevet Brigadier General) James M. Warner's brigade's lead regiment, the 102nd Pennsylvania Infantry, became disoriented in the near darkness and over the swampy ground after taking the rifle pits. [210] Lane's men then formed a line facing west along Church Road perpendicular to the old line. [149] Colonel Andrew M. Nelson's Mississippi brigade, Brigadier General Samuel McGowan's South Carolina brigade, Brigadier General William McComb's Maryland and Tennessee brigade and other regiments of MacRae's brigade held other segments of the 6 miles (9.7km) of earthworks between Indian Town Creek and Burgess Mill. Vicksburg Campaign, (1862-63), in the American Civil War, the campaign by Union forces to take the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg, Mississippi, which lay on the east bank of the Mississippi River, halfway between Memphis (north) and New Orleans (south). [130] Anderson's force included three brigades of Major General Bushrod Johnson's division, Brigadier General Eppa Hunton's brigade of Pickett's command, and the survivors of Pickett's task force at Five Forks. Trudeau, 1994, p. 57 says the notation in the diary of Bureau of War head Robert Garlick Hill Kean shows the telegram as received at 9:30a.m. Greene 2008, p 339 states that Hartranft lost 594 men, Harriman lost 184 and Potter (Griffin) 722. [144][155] The 1st Vermont Brigade, with Colonel Amasa Tracy commanding in lieu of the wounded Lewis Grant, led the assault. [276], At 3:00p.m., Lee gave the orders for the retreat from Richmond and Petersburg, to begin at 8:00p.m.[246] Routes of withdrawal, including designation of bridges to cross to the north side of the Appomattox River, were drawn up by Colonel Thomas M.R. With Southern railroads and their supply lines severely damaged, Confederate troops suffered from hunger and exhaustion. [185] Some of Hamblin's men headed for the South Side Railroad to the north but most turned right and advanced toward Petersburg. [195][212] Osborn's brigade had reversed the minor setback in the Union advance without loss of life. [270], Cooke, who had four brigades totaling about 1,200 men, had been ordered by Heth to protect the supply trains already parked at Sutherland's Station. Confederate: Varied around 52,000, Butlers Assault The campaign saw one of the most protracted uses of trench warfare during the war, as the two armies clashed for more than nine months along a series of trenches more than 30 miles long. [257] Potter and Hartranft both put axmen in front of their forces to dismantle obstructions. [51][52][53][54] Adjacent to the V Corps, Major General Andrew A. Humphreys conducted diversionary demonstrations and sent two of Brigadier General (Brevet Major General) Nelson Miles's brigades from his II Corps forward. [6][7] The Confederates were able to defend Richmond and the important railroad and supply center of Petersburg, Virginia, 23 miles (37km) south of Richmond for over nine months against a larger force by adopting a defensive strategy and skilfully using trenches and field fortifications. [280] Miles had 366 casualties. [182] His flanking maneuver contributed to the capture of the sector of line that was attacked by Wheaton's other brigades. [195] The VI Corps deployed in support of the XXIV Corps but instead of being able to rest, the troops on the north end of the line would have to deal with Confederate artillery fire protecting Lee's headquarters at the Turnbull House on Edge Hill.

Longview Apartments Lees Summit, Soul Food Restaurants In Harlem, Articles B