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

Battle of Petersburg, 25 April 1781

Flanking Movement

Battle of Petersburg Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2006

1. Battle of Petersburg Marker

Inscription. About midday on 25 April 1781, Maj. Gen. William Phillips discovered that the right flank of the American militia, on the edge of Blandford was vulnerable to attack from the south and rear. He ordered Lt. Col. John Simcoe’s Queen’s Rangers and a Light Infantry battalion to the south and west on a wide sweep around the flank to attack the Virginians from the rear. Simcoe took this nearby route (now Graham Road) between present-day Crater Road and Sycamore Street, thus moving his large force behind the American line undetected. When Simcoe reached the high ground overlooking Petersburg, the Americans were already retreating.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number QA-24.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1781.

Location. 37° 13.085′ N, 77° 23.597′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is on Graham Road, on the right when traveling west. Marker is on Graham Road, across from the entrance to Cameron Field. There is a large pullover at a Civil War Trails sign. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. First Battle of Petersburg (here, next to this marker); Graham Road (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lest We Forget (approx. half a mile away); Poplar Lawn (approx. half a mile away); Confederate Hospital (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Graham Road (approx. half a mile away); Drilling Ground (approx. 0.6 miles away); People's Memorial Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Battle of Blanford, also called the Battle of Petersburg. “Phillips also detached Simcoe and his rangers on a lengthy and roundabout flanking maneuver intended to prevent the Americans from retreating across the Pocahontas Bridge. While Simcoe moved, Phillips made two assaults on the second militia line, both of which were repulsed.” (Submitted on April 23, 2016.)

Facing southeast on Graham Rd toward the British approach. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Facing southeast on Graham Rd toward the British approach.

Grave of British Gen. Phillips image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2006

3. Grave of British Gen. Phillips

British Maj. Gen. William Phillips died in Petersburg shortly after the battle. He is buried in Blandford Cemetery, located about ½ mile northeast of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,188 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 20, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.