Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
A Final Effort
Petersburg National Battlefield
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
1. A Final Effort Marker
Desperate to relieve the Union noose strangling Petersburg, on March 25, 1865, General Lee used pre-dawn darkness and stealth to pierce the Union Line here at Fort Stedman.
We were very much elated at first, as we thought we had won a great victory.
- Capt. R.D. Funkhouser, 4th Virginia
Though initially successful, the attack soon lost momentum. Union reinforcements arrived and counterattacked. The Confederates fell back over and into the Fort; hundreds were killed or captured.
Never again would Robert E. Lee launch a major offensive. A week later Petersburg would fall.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is March 25, 1865.
Location. 37° 13.898′ N, 77° 22.164′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is on Siege Road, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in Petersburg National Battlefield on the Auto Tour Road at Tour Stop 5. 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: Siege of PetersburgLee Strikes Back (a few steps from this marker); Fort Stedman (within shouting distance of this marker); a different
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Colquitts Salient Trail (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); Hare House Site (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); Wasted Valor (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Colquitt's Salient (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . Battle of Fort Stedman. National Park Service Petersburg National Battlefield website entry (Submitted on April 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
2. Fort Stedman
Lee selected Fort Stedman as the objective of the attempted breakthrough because it was only 150 yards from the Confederate trenches.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
3. Cannons at Fort Stedman
The Confederates successfully took Fort Stedman, but the nighttime attack quickly became confused and disjointed. Union counterattacks eventually drove the Confederates back to their own lines.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,740 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
