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

Old Men and Boys of Petersburg

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. Old Men and Boys of Petersburg Marker

Inscription. This stone marks the spot where the Old Men and Boys of Petersburg under Gen. R.E. Colston and Col. F.H. Archer 125 strong on June 9th, 1864 distinguished themselves in a fight with 1300 Federal cavalry under Gen. Kautz gaining time for the defense of the expedition.

Placed by the Petersburg Chapter U.D.C. May 1908

Erected 1908 by Petersburg Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1908.

Location. 37° 12.258′ N, 77° 22.929′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is on South Crater Road (U.S. 301) 0.1 miles south of East South Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. This marker is located next to an alley running between Oakland Street and South Crater Road. 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.

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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: Col. George W. Gowen Monument (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pennsylvania Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln In Petersburg (approx. 0.2 miles away); Battery 31 (approx. half a mile away); Graham Road (approx. ¾ mile away); Joshua L. Chamberlain Promoted “On The Spot” (approx. 0.8 miles away); Fort Davis (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Union Picket Line (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Regarding Old Men and Boys of Petersburg. On June 9, 1864 Maj Gen Quincy A Gillmore launched a 3-pronged attack from City Point against the thinly held Petersburg defenses. That morning 3,000 Federal infantry demonstrated against the northeast and eastern portion

Battery 27 (Rive's Salient). image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Battery 27 (Rive's Salient).

of the line to fix the Confederates in place. Meanwhile Brig Gen Augustus V Kautz led 1,300 horsemen up the Jerusalem Plank Road (US 301) to assault the line from below the city.

Kautz's Division engaged Maj Gen Fletcher H Archer's Home Guard of "Old Men and Young Boys" at Battery 27 (Rive's Salient). The militiamen held long enough for Gen PGT Beauregard to rush reinforcements from Bermuda Hundred to the southwest edge of the city. This second line repulsed Kautz's cavalry assault ending the First Battle of Petersburg.

Facing north towards Petersburg. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

3. Facing north towards Petersburg.

Col. Fletcher Harris Archer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 7, 2024

4. Col. Fletcher Harris Archer

Commander of the militia that held Battery 27, Col. Archer is buried in the old section of Blandford Cemetery.

Old Men and Boys Memorial Tablet image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, December 7, 2024

5. Old Men and Boys Memorial Tablet

On the wall in Blandford Church

Grave of 17-Year-Old Lieutenant Wayles Hurt image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 6, 2013

6. Grave of 17-Year-Old Lieutenant Wayles Hurt

One of Petersburg’s June 9 defenders buried near Blandford Church in Petersburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,230 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 1, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 4, 5. submitted on March 25, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 6. submitted on June 13, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.