Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Fight for the Weldon Railroad
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
1. Fight for the Weldon Railroad Marker
On August 18, Maj. Gen. Gouverneur Warren's Union Fifth Corps seized the Petersburg & Weldon Railroad here near Globe Tavern. The Confederates retaliated, but after three days of fighting, the Union grip on the railroad remained unshaken.
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 day of the year for for this entry is August 18.
Location. 37° 10.031′ N, 77° 24.977′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of Halifax Road (County Route 604) and Flank Road (County Route 676), on the right when traveling south on Halifax Road. Located in the Fort Wadsworth unit of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7706 Halifax Rd, Petersburg VA 23805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Siege of Petersburg—Grant's Fourth Offensive (here, next to this marker); Fort Wadsworth (here, next to this marker); Hagood’s Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Petersburg Railroad
this page online
More about this marker. In the main section of the marker is a painting of the action around Globe Tavern. The Federals (facing north) fought from earthworks on August 21. The works shown here stood just a few yards south of (behind) you. The Buck House, on the left of the painting, was dismantled during the construction of Fort Wadsworth a few weeks later.
Beside two maps is a description of the fighting which took place around Globe Tavern. August 19: Confederates under Maj. Gen. William Mahone demolished Warren's right - east of the railroad - and captured 2,500 Federals. Only timely reinforcements prevented Union disaster.
Two days later, after Warren had pulled back and entrenched around Globe Tavern, the Confederates attacked again. This time the Federals repulsed them easily - and bloodily.
At
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
2. Close up of the Battle Maps
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Oliva Cayer, Congressional Medal of Honor
Also see . . . Weldon Railroad Battles. National Park Service page detailing the action. (Submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
3. Markers at the Fort Wadsworth Parking Area
Photographed By Craig Swain, November 22, 2008
4. Globe Tavern Location
Looking south down Halifax Road, about a half mile south of Fort Wadsworth. The tavern was torn down after the war. It stood along the Weldon Railroad at the time, which originally ran parallel to Halifax Road (the railroad has since shifted further to the east). During the August 21 fighting, Griffin's Division of Warren's Corps occupied earthworks on the west (right) side of the road through this sector.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,701 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 24, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
