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

The Struggle Across Poor Creek

— Petersburg National Battlefield —

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

1. The Struggle Across Poor Creek Marker

Inscription. After the Union 9th Corps advanced, General John W. Turner's men from the 10th Corps moved into the Poor Creek bottom behind the Union picket line. This line came down the hill in front of you, crossed upstream (to the right) and up the ridge behind you.

Some of these men, under fire from North Carolinian troops, moved across the stream and up the ridge in front of the Confederate works. Here they "attained a position in the undergrowth .. from which they kept up a sharp fire on the enemy," reported Turner. They had done this after seeing United States Colored Troops (USCT) capturing Confederate trenches atop the ridge.

As Turners men were about to go up the hill, some of the USCTs, who had been in close-quarters combat with Confederates, retreated down the ridge. These troops came "dashing through my men with arms at trail and bayonets fixed," Col. Louis Bell reported, "Quite a number of my men were wounded by the bayonets of the retreating troops." Turner's men were forced back to the picket line where they had started.

(captions)
These men fought across the ground before you.
Maj. Nathan Axtell 142nd N.Y.

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Inf.
Pvt. Robert Barrows 142nd N.Y. Inf.
Copl. John Mahoney 4th NH Inf.
Pvt. Tanner Smith 47h N.Y. Inf.

Unidentified soldier, 76th Pennsylvania Infantry
This unit fought here July 30th 1864

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 July 30, 1864.

Location. 37° 13.242′ N, 77° 22.543′ W. Marker is unreadable. 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 west. Marker is located on the Concealment walking trail at Stop 8 on the Park Battlefield Driving Tour. The trail appears to no longer be in use - all signs directing visitors to it are gone, and the markers on the trail are either missing or in very poor shape. The bridge over Poor Creek is also collapsing. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5001 Siege Rd, 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

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

2. The Struggle Across Poor Creek Marker

Heading across the bridge and continuing on the trail leads to the Crater Mine Entrance.

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 location: Digging the Mine (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ventilation Shaft (about 600 feet away); The Crater (approx. 0.2 miles away); “A Stupendous Failure” (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Counterattack (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Countermine (approx. 0.2 miles away); Union High Tide (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crater of Mine (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Dash into the Crater (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. At Tour Stop 8, upon reaching the mine and the "Digging The Mine" marker, there is a small sign that reads "Concealment" and points towards the

Looking Upstream at Poor Creek image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

3. Looking Upstream at Poor Creek

trail. A walk of 0.1 miles will take you to the marker next to the creek.

Also see . . . Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on October 24, 2021.)

Marker and the Ridge Mentioned image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

4. Marker and the Ridge Mentioned

Union men from the 10th Corps, after crossing the creek, moved up this ridge.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 9, 2025

5. The Struggle Across Poor Creek Marker

The marker is no longer legible and the footbridge to reach it is collapsing. This is not a functional trail anymore.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 9, 2025

6. The Struggle Across Poor Creek Marker

The marker is now illegible.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on February 24, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 22, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 5, 6. submitted on February 24, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.