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. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 13.887′ N,
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Regionally, this marker was in Central Virginia. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in 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: Lee's Last Offensive (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Colquitts Salient (within shouting distance of this marker); Charge of the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gracies Salient (about 500 feet away); 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.
Other markers no longer nearby. Wasted Valor (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Hare House Site (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 856 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on February 24, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photo 1. submitted on March 19, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide shot of marker and surrounding area in context. • Can you help?
