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

Fort Wadsworth

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

1. Fort Wadsworth Marker

Inscription. Built following the Battle of the Weldon Railroad in August 1864, Fort Wadsworth anchored the extreme left of the Union siege lines for more than a month. It secured the the Union grip on the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad - a major Confederate supply line.

The fort's size reflects its importance during August and September of 1864. Duty here was easier than in the works on the right of the line; the closest Confederates were nearly a mile away.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1864.

Location. 37° 10.033′ N, 77° 24.98′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It 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. Located in the Fort Wadsworth unit of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Siege of Petersburg—Grant's Fourth Offensive (here, next to this marker); Fight for the Weldon Railroad (here, next to this marker); Hagood’s Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battles For The Weldon Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battles For The Weldon Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Petersburg Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

More about this marker.

Markers at the Fort Wadsworth Parking Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

2. Markers at the Fort Wadsworth Parking Area

In the main section of the marker, the background is a sketch captioned, Immediately after securing the railroad on August 18, 1864, the Federals started digging works to protect it. In the upper portion of the sketch is an inset showing a plan of the fort. Fort Wadsworth was designed to resist an attack from any direction and included four large bastions mounting up to three guns each. This sketch, also shows a grave located on the east parapet of the fort.

On the right is a map of the siege lines. For most of August and September 1864, Fort Wadsworth anchored the left flank of the Union siege lines. An inset is captioned, Union possession of the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad forced the Confederates to haul supplies by wagon 17 miles from Stony Creek Station into Petersburg.

Also see . . . Battle and Siege of Petersburg. National Park Service site. (Submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Southeast Bastion of Fort Wadsworth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

3. Southeast Bastion of Fort Wadsworth

Interior of Fort Wadsworth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

4. Interior of Fort Wadsworth

Exterior Moat on Northeast Side of Fort Wadsworth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008

5. Exterior Moat on Northeast Side of Fort Wadsworth

The train in the background is running along the modern site of the Railroad. At the time of the war, the railroad ran just east of the fort location, closely paralleling the Halifax Road.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,031 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.