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

Union High Tide

Petersburg National Battlefield

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

1. Union High Tide Marker

Inscription.

"…they went forward with undaunted bravery!"
- Sgt. J. Payne 27th USCT

By 8:30 am, over the now wooded ground before you, nearly 4,000 black Union soldiers (known then as United States Colored Troops or USCT) swept by here and northward along open ground capturing Confederate troops, battle flags, and nearly three hundred yards of trenches.

Twice they charged westward from these captured trenches across the field toward Blandford Cemetery. Each time they were stopped by devastating Southern artillery and rifle fire. While attempting a third charge, the Confederates counterattacked. Some of the USCTs retreated to the Crater or back to the Union lines, sweeping with them supporting Federal troops which had just arrived. Other USCTs stood their ground and were among the last Union soldiers north of the Crater to leave.

By battle's end and in defeat, these men suffered the greatest number of Union casualties, yet they advanced farther than any other Union division on this field.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

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lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1864.

Location. 37° 13.137′ N, 77° 22.686′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It can be reached from Siege Road 0.4 miles east of South Crater Road (U.S. 301), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in Petersburg National Battlefield on the Auto Tour Road at Tour Stop 8. 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 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: Mahone’s Brigade (a few steps from this marker); Mahone (within shouting distance of this marker); South Carolina (within shouting distance

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

2. Union High Tide Marker

Wooded ground mentioned on the marker is in the distance.

of this marker); Confederate Countermine (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Pennsylvania Veteran Heavy Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crater (within shouting distance of this marker); “A Stupendous Failure” (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Counterattack (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Also see . . . Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on October 29, 2021.)

Union High Tide Marker In The Distance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

3. Union High Tide Marker In The Distance

Shown in its position in relation to Mahone’s Brigade marker on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 398 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 28, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.