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

Siege of Petersburg—Grant's Fourth Offensive

August 18-21, 1864 Battle of Weldon Railroad

Seige of Petersburg—Grant's Fourth Offensive Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 18, 2014

1. Seige of Petersburg—Grant's Fourth Offensive Marker

Inscription. Union General Ulysses S. Grant pursued a strategy of two-pronged attacks on Petersburg and the Confederate capital at Richmond. Grant first attacked Lee's positions around Richmond and struck again south of Petersburg. By the end of Grant's fourth offensive, Lee's supply lines had been bent but not broken.

(captions)
map represents situation in August 1864

August 14-18,1864—Confederate forces repulse the Union attack on this line. Forces from both sides return south to support the fighting below Petersburg.

August 18-21,1864—As the fighting at Richmond fades Union troops swing south and sever the critical Petersburg (& Weldon) Railroad.Confederate forces repulse the Union attack on this line. Forces from both sides return south to support the fighting below Petersburg.

August 25,1864—Union troops tried to extend their lines along the railroad to Reams Station but were defeated and swept back by the Confederates.

Erected by Petersburg National Battlefield.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 37° 10.031′ N, 77° 24.979′

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W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. It is at the intersection of Halifax Road (Virginia Route 604) and Flank Road, on the left when traveling north on Halifax Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23805, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fight for the Weldon Railroad (here, next to this marker); Fort Wadsworth (here, next to this marker); Hagood’s Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battles For The Weldon Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); a different marker also named Battles For The Weldon Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Petersburg Railroad (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Also see . . . Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on October 19, 2014.)

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 18, 2014

2. Seige of Petersburg—Grant's Fourth Offensive Marker

Fort Wadsworth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, October 18, 2014

3. Fort Wadsworth

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 1,089 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2014, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.