Near Petersburg in Prince George County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

U.S. Colored Troops

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007

1. U.S. Colored Troops Monument

Inscription. In memory of the valorous service of Regiments and Companies of the U.S. Colored Troops Army of the James and Army of the Potomac Siege of Petersburg 1864 – 65

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 13.945′ N, 77° 21.27′ W. Memorial is near Petersburg, Virginia, in Prince George County. It is on Siege Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in Petersburg National Battlefield. It is located at Tour Stop 3. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Fort Lee VA 23801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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

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the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monotonous Toil (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Infantry Earthworks (within shouting distance of this marker); “A Splendid Charge” (within shouting distance of this marker); Battery 8 of the Dimmock Line (approx. 0.3 miles away); Spring Used By The 209th Regt. Penn Vols. (approx. 0.4 miles away); The United States Military Railroad (approx. 0.4 miles away); Dividing Point (approx. half a mile away); Training for War on Hallowed Ground (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Other markers no longer nearby. Prince George Court House Road (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Infantry Earthworks (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Also see . . .
1. Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. The Siege of Petersburg. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
3. ...The United States Colored Troops: Infantry Organizations, 36th Through 40th.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007

2. U.S. Colored Troops Monument

The monument is at the beginning of the Meade Station Trail.

The US National Archives and Record Administrations compilation of USCT records, with introduction: ...Approximately 179,000 African Americans served in the ranks of the USCT, under nearly 6,000 white officers and 87 black officers. The USCT fought in 39 major engage- ments and over 400 lesser ones. Sixteen African American soldiers received the Medal of Honor as a result of their service during the Civil War. As in other units, the death toll from disease was very high in the USCT. Deaths from disease and battle totaled approximately 37,000. The last regiments of the USCT mustered out of Federal service in December 1867. (Submitted on October 12, 2015.)

1864

3. Field and staff of 39th U.S. Colored Infantry In front of Petersburg, Va. September 1864.

The 39th United States Colored Infantry was organized at Baltimore, MD, from March 22 to 31, 1864. The regiment was assigned to the 9th Corp of the Army of Potomac and stationed at Manassas Junction, VA, in April 1864. The 39th USCI supported the Army of the Potomac’s overland campaign in Virginia from May to June by guarding the army’s wagon trains. The 39th USCI was transferred to the siege of Petersburg in July 1864, and was heavily engaged at the Battle of the Mine on July 30, 1864. The regiment participated in combat at Weldon Railroad (August 18–21), Poplar Grove Church (September 29–30), and Hatcher’s Run (October 27–28). The 39th USCI participated in the capture of Fort Fisher on January 15, 1865, and the occupation of Wilmington, NC, on February 22. In April 1865, the regiment participated in the capture of Raleigh and was present at the surrender of Joseph Johnston’s army. The 39th USCI remained on duty throughout North Carolina until it mustered out of service on December 4, 1865.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,513 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on February 1, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on October 12, 2015. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.