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

Battery 31

Confederate Defense Line

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. Battery 31 Marker

Inscription. Part of the original Confederate defense line constructed in 1862 – 1863. On April 2, 1865, the battery located in this position took part in stopping a heavy Union attack at Fort Mahone, one third of a mile east. Severe fighting continued until nightfall when the battery was withdrawn.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1881.

Location. 37° 12.159′ N, 77° 23.457′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is on Coggin Street 0.1 miles north of Glenroy Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, 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 one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lincoln In Petersburg (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pennsylvania Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Old Men and Boys of Petersburg (approx. half a mile away); Col. George W. Gowen Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lest We Forget (approx. ¾ mile away); Graham Road (approx. 0.9 miles away); Petersburg Defenses (approx. one mile away); Battle of Petersburg, 25 April 1781 (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Regarding Battery 31. On April 2, 1865, a 4:30 am assault by Union IX Corps troops under Maj Gen John G Parke broke through

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the Confederate lines around Fort Mahone. Lt Gen John B Gordon's forces contained the breach and by mid-afternoon launched a counterattack. Gordon ceased offensive operations upon learning of the Union VI Corps breakthrough and the collapse of the Confederate lines to the west.

Also see . . . Petersburg National Battlefield. (Submitted on March 31, 2009.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Battery 31

Battery 31 exterior west wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

3. Battery 31 exterior west wall

Battery 31 Marker exterior south wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

4. Battery 31 Marker exterior south wall

Battery 31 exterior view. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

5. Battery 31 exterior view.

Battery 31 interior view. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher

6. Battery 31 interior view.

Confederate and Union dead side by side in the trenches at Fort Mahone. image. Click for full size.

April 3, 1865

7. Confederate and Union dead side by side in the trenches at Fort Mahone.

Library of Congress [LC-B811-03181]

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,389 times since then and 95 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 31, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.