Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Colquitt's Salient
Petersburg National Battlefield
Courtesy of Thomas P. Martin, April 23, 2017
1. Colquitt's Salient Marker
On the moonlit night of June 17, 1864, Confederate infantrymen pulled back to this ridge and started digging. The next day, Union attacks against Colquitt's Salient ended in a bloody disaster for the Federals.
For the next nine months, the Confederates remained here, only 300 yards from the Union lines. Colquitt's Salient witnessed no more major action – just constant sniping and occasional bombardment – until March 25, 1865. Then it would be the Confederates' turn to attack.
[Captions:]
Wrote Confederate General E. Porter Alexander, “all sorts of individual ingenuity was displayed in the arrangement of these sleeping and dodging places.”
At a salient the line turned or angled away from the enemy. Here at Colquitt's Salient, the Confederate defense lines bent back to connect with the Appomattox River. Salients were dangerous places because they could be subjected to crossfire.
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 June 17, 1864.
Location. 37° 13.887′ N, 77° 22.375′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Siege Road, 1.6 miles south
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lee's Last Offensive (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Colquitt’s Salient (within shouting distance of this marker); Wasted Valor (within shouting distance of this marker); Gracie’s Salient (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Maine Heavy Artillery Monument (about 500 feet away); Fort Stedman (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Fort Stedman (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Final Effort (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 59 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and surrounding area in context. • Can you help?
