Fight for the Weldon Railroad Marker

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Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fight for the Weldon Railroad

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

1. Fight for the Weldon Railroad Marker

Inscription. After failing to bludgeon his way into Petersburg in June and July, Grant decided to strangle the city instead. His plan: cut the railroads into Petersburg - cut the Confederate's lifelines.

On August 18, Maj. Gen. Gouverneur Warren's Union Fifth Corps seized the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad here near Globe Tavern. The Confederates retaliated, but after three days of fighting, the Union grip on the railroad remained unshaken.

Erected by Petersburg National Battlefield - National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior.

Location. 37° 10.031′ N, 77° 24.977′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Halifax Road (County Route 604) and Flank Road (County Route 676), on the right when traveling south on Halifax Road. Click for map. Located in the Fort Wadsworth unit of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Fort Wadsworth (here, next to this marker); Hagood’s Brigade (about 300 feet away, in a direct line); The Petersburg Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); Fort Conahey (approx. 1.7 miles away); Fort Hays (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Largest Fort (approx. 2.1 miles away); Petersburg Defenses (approx. 2.3 miles away); Battery 45 (approx. 2.4 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Petersburg.

Close up of the Battle Maps Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

2. Close up of the Battle Maps

More about this marker. In the main section of the marker is a painting of the action around Globe Tavern. The Federals (facing north) fought from earthworks on August 21. The works shown here stood just a few yards south of (behind) you. The Buck House, on the left of the painting, was dismantled during the construction of Fort Wadsworth a few weeks later.

Beside two maps is a description of the fighting which took place around Globe Tavern. August 19: Confederates under Maj. Gen. William Mahone demolished Warren's right - east of the railroad - and captured 2,500 Federals. Only timely reinforcements prevented Union disaster.

Two days later, after Warren had pulled back and entrenched around Globe Tavern, the Confederates attacked again. This time the Federals repulsed them easily - and bloodily.

At the bottom of the marker is a time line of the Petersburg siege.

Also see . . .
1. Battle for the Weldon Railroad. Brief summary of the operations to gain the Weldon Railroad in August 1864. (Submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
2. Weldon Railroad Battles. National Park Service page detailing the action. (Submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Markers at the Fort Wadsworth Parking Area Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

3. Markers at the Fort Wadsworth Parking Area

Globe Tavern Location Photo, Click for full size

By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

4. Globe Tavern Location

Looking south down Halifax Road, about a half mile south of Fort Wadsworth. The tavern was torn down after the war. It stood along the Weldon Railroad at the time, which originally ran parallel to Halifax Road (the railroad has since shifted further to the east). During the August 21 fighting, Griffin's Division of Warren's Corps occupied earthworks on the west (right) side of the road through this sector.