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

The Union Picket Line

— Petersburg National Battlefield —

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 9, 2025

1. The Union Picket Line Marker

The marker is at the end of a seemingly disused trail, tucked into the woods just to the right of the Crater parking lot.

Inscription. June 18th 1864 was the forth day of continuous fighting as Union troops tried to seize Petersburg. That morning union soldiers charged down the ridge to the east and forced the Confederates out of the railroad cut. Under fire from Confederate sharpshooters these troops advanced over the creek and up the hill in what was a wheat field.

Union troops came within yards of the Confederate line to the west but were stopped by severe fire. They dug in there using bayonets, tin cups, plates and spoons. "Our position however hold," recalled Colonel Bolton of the 31st Pennsylvania, "Poo[r] Creek (below here) ran red with blood and the flag of the 2nd. Mich. was found floating down the little stream."

These soldiers replaced the next day by troops that included the 48th Pennsylvania. The regiment of mostly miners quick came up with the idea of mining under the Confederate in front of them to try to change the course of the siege.

(captions)
Sketch of sharpshooters on the picket line by Alfred Waud.
Col. William J. Bolton
Charles Wellington reed's depiction of the 9th Corps picket line

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 18, 1864.

Location.

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37° 13.032′ N, 77° 22.592′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It can be reached from Siege Road, on the right when traveling west. 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 the North Atlantic Region,

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: Crater of Mine (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); “A Stupendous Failure” (about 600 feet away); Confederate Counterattack (about 600 feet away); The Crater (about 600 feet away); Up and Over (about 600 feet away); Confederate Countermine (about 600 feet away); South Carolina (about 600 feet away); Second Pennsylvania Veteran Heavy Artillery (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Also see . . .
1. Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on April 29, 2024.)

2. Siege of Petersburg. Wikipedia (Submitted on April 29, 2024.)

Photographed by Mike McKeown, April 26, 2024

2. The Union Picket Line Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 266 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on February 24, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2025, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 29, 2024, by Mike McKeown of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.