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

Waiting Their Turn

— Petersburg National Battlefield —

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 25, 2017

1. Waiting Their Turn Marker

Inscription. By 6:00 am on July 30, 1864 the trenches before you were ﬁlled with black Union soldiers waiting to enter the Battle of the Crater. Ahead of them in line were white Union troops struggling to advance because of Confederate ﬁre and the confusion and crowding around the hole.

These black Union troops sat and listened as the ﬁghting grew louder. Soon they were standing to make way for the wounded going to the rear. From flesh wounds to those close to death, many of the wounded, out of agony, “were moaning and bellowing like wild beasts,” recounted their commander Colonel Henry Thomas, “We stood there for over an hour with this endless procession of wounded men passing. There could be no greater strain on the nerves. Unable to strike a blow, we were sickened with the contemplation of revolting forms of death and mutilation.”

At 7:30 am, they were ﬁnally ordered forward.

Erected 2016 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1864.

Location. 37° 13.021′ N, 77° 22.245′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is on Siege Road 0.8 miles east of South

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Crater Road (U.S. 301), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Up and Over (approx. ¼ mile away); Joshua L. Chamberlain Promoted “On The Spot” (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Union Picket Line (approx. 0.3 miles away); Digging the Mine (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ventilation Shaft (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Struggle Across Poor Creek (approx. 0.4 miles away); “A Stupendous Failure” (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederate Counterattack (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. A Fatal Error (was about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Prelude to the Crater (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Dash into the Crater (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on March 25, 2017.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 25, 2017

2. Waiting Their Turn Marker

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 25, 2017

3. Waiting Their Turn Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 491 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.