Near Petersburg in Prince George County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
1. Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line Marker
Most of the works you see at Battery 5 were built by slaves. The parapet to your left, shown on the diagram to your right in blue, was added by the Federals after the battle here on June 15, 1864.
Far Right: On June 15, 1864, more that 30,000 Union troops marched from the east toward the Dimmock Line. Only 2,300 Confederates stood between the Federals and Petersburg.
Erected by 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 June 1942.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 37° 14.709′ N, 77° 21.429′ W. Marker was near Petersburg, Virginia, in Prince George County. It could be reached from Siege Road 0.2 miles north of Oaklawn
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Coastal Virginia. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: A different marker also named Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Opportunity Lost (within shouting distance of this marker); The Petersburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Artillery at Petersburg
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
2. Maps of Battery 5, and rest of the fortifications around Petersburg
Other markers no longer nearby. Opportunity Lost (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Uprooted by War (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Battery 5 Trail (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Siege of Petersburg (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. The marker is dominated by a war-time photograph with the caption, This photograph, taken from just inside Battery 5, shows how the battery looked a few days after the capture by the Federals. During the Siege of Petersburg, Battery
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
3. Battery 5 from the outside
Battery 5 was constructed by the Confederates, but fell to the Union on June 15, 1864. It was then used by the Union for the duration of the siege of Petersburg.
The upper right of the marker contains maps of Battery 5, and of all fortifications surrounding Petersburg.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. New Replacement Marker At This Location also titled "Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line".
Also see . . .
1. Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Second Battle of Petersburg: June 15-18, 1864. The Siege of Petersburg Online. (Submitted on April 5, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
4. Inside of Battery 5
There are several cannons located in Battery 5. The bridge over the earthworks leads to the site of the "Dictator", a mortar used to fire on Petersburg during the siege.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
5. Brierfield Gun
One of the numerous cannons present in Battery 5 is this 6-pdr Field Gun cast at Briefield Arsenal, in Alabama.
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
6. Interior of Battery 5
Note the marker location next to the Brierfield gun. Battery 6 was in the tree line, center distance.
Photographed by Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
7. Exterior of Battery 5
Clear here are the exterior lines, the moat, and the exterior slope of the main rampart.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
8. Battery 5 Trail Map
The "Battery 5 of the Dimmock Line" marker, located on the Battery 5 Trail, is indicated by the red arrow.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,830 times since then and 26 times this year. Last updated on September 1, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6, 7. submitted on December 22, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8. submitted on April 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
