Lee's Last Offensive

Lee's Last Offensive. .

“The cool frosty morning made every sound distinct and clear, and the only sound heard was the tramp! Tramp! Of the men, and the cries of the Federal picket as he ran with all speed into the fort shouting, “The Rebels are coming! The Rebels are coming!” – Brig. Gen. James A. Walker, CSA

, Before dawn on March 25, 1865, more than 10,000 Confederates massed in and around Colquitt's Salient, ready to attack Fort Stedman. General Lee hoped the attack would force the Federals to draw in their lines, allowing part of his army to escape from Petersburg and join with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston's army in North Carolina., At 4 a.m. a lone rifle shot signaled the opening of the assault, and the Confederates stormed across no-man's land. The Confederates advanced in three columns, each led by axemen and a storming party of 100 men. As you walk to Fort Stedman, you will be following in the footsteps of the Confederate attackers., [Inset map] The Confederate attack plan: once in Fort Stedman, one column would push along the Union entrenchments to the right, expanding the breach. Another would move to the left. A third column would plunge straight ahead deep into Union lines., Petersburg Time Line , 9 months and 18 days. June 1864 – Union attack on Dimmock Line . Federals sever Jerusalem Plank Road , July 1864 – Battle of the Crater , August 1864 – City Point wharf explosion . Federals sever the Weldon Railroad , September 1864 – Battle of Peebles's Farm , October 1864 – Battle of Boydton Plank Road , November 1864 , December 1864 , January 1865 , February 1865 – Battle of Hatcher's Run , March 1865 – Confederate attack on Fort Stedman fails , April 1865 – Battle of Five Forks . Confederates evacuate Petersburg, [Caption] Axemen cut away obstructions as the Confederate infantry swept forward. Fort Stedman is visible in the upper left.