Near Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Siege of Petersburg—Grant's Eighth Offensive
April 2-3, 1865 Fall of Petersburg and Richmond
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 18, 2014
1. Seige of Petersburg-Grant's Eighth Offensive Marker
Inscription.
Siege of Petersburg—Grant's Eighth Offensive. April 2-3, 1865 Fall of Petersburg and Richmond. With the Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1, 1865, Confederate general Robert E. Lee's defense of Petersburg and Richmond had been lost. On April 2, Union General Ulysses S. Grant ordered a general assault against the Petersburg lines and broke through Lee's Defenses west of the city. Only a stand by Confederate troops here at Fort Gregg prevented Union forces from entering the city that night. After dark, Lee ordered the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. Though Grant captured the capital of the Confederacy on April 3, he would not rest until Lee's army had surrendered.
With the Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1, 1865, Confederate general Robert E. Lee's defense of Petersburg and Richmond had been lost. On April 2, Union General Ulysses S. Grant ordered a general assault against the Petersburg lines and broke through Lee's Defenses west of the city. Only a stand by Confederate troops here at Fort Gregg prevented Union forces from entering the city that night. After dark, Lee ordered the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond. Though Grant captured the capital of the Confederacy on April 3, he would not rest until Lee's army had surrendered.
Erected by Petersburg National Battlefield.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1865.
Location. 37° 11.885′ N, 77° 27.242′ W. Marker is near Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker is on 7th Avenue, 0.1 miles north of Simpson Road (Virginia Route 142), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Seige of Petersburg-Grant's Eighth Offensive Marker
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 18, 2014
3. Fort Gregg
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 730 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
