Near Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
1st Lieutenant Octavius Augustus Wiggins
The Breakthrough
— Pamplin Historical Park —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
1. 1st Lieutenant Octavius Augustus Wiggins Marker
1st Lieutenant Octavius Augustus Wiggins
Company E, 37th North Carolina
Infantry, Lane’s Brigade,
Wilcox’s Division, Third Corps
Resident: Halifax County, North Carolina
Enlisted: June 1862
Wiggins was wounded near here during the Breakthrough on April 2, 1865: “I received a scalp wound, the muzzle of the gun being in such close proximity to my head as to blow powder into my face, nearly destroying my eyes and knocking me senseless upon the ground. Of course, I was captured.” Wiggins escaped while being taken to a prison at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, and made his way back home.
Erected by Pamplin Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1861.
Location. 37° 10.861′ N, 77° 28.478′ W. Marker is near Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker can be reached from Duncan Road (Virginia Route 670), on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Pamplin Historical Park, on the Breakthrough Trail. Touch for map.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Brother vs. Brother (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Winter Huts (within shouting distance of this marker); First Man Over the Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant Colonel George B. Damon (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Winter Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Confederate Fortifications (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Breakthrough Trail (about 300 feet away); Petersburg Breakthrough Battlefield (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
More about this marker. The bottom left of the marker contains a photograph of Lieutenant Octavius Wiggins. Above that is a battle map of the Breakthrough, indicating the approach of the Union troops and the location of the marker.
Also see . . . Breakthrough at Petersburg. The American Civil War website. (Submitted on January 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
2. Confederate Fortifications
Lt. Wiggins and his company were positioned near these fortifications during the Breakthrough on April 2, 1965. These earthworks are located within sight of the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
3. Battle Map from Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,073 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 15, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
