Near Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Breakthrough
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2015
1. The Breakthrough Marker
Colonel Olcott and his regiment crossed the entrenchments about 350 yards to the northeast of this position (to your right) during their attack on April 2, 1865. His experience was similar to that of the Vermont troops who fought on this ground: "When the order to advance was given the regiment moved rapidly forward maintaining a good line until within about 200 yards of the enemy's works, when the second line was moved a short distance by the left flank and then forward again. This, together with the darkness and the character of the ground, divided the regiment somewhat, most of the men with the colors entering the works farther to the right than intended." Olcott survived the assault and was mustered out of service in June 1865.
(caption)
Colonel Egbert Olcott
121st New York Inf, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division (Wheaton), Sixth Corps
Resident: Albany, New York
Enlisted: September 1861
Erected 2015 by Pamplin Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 2, 1865.
Location. 37° 11.033′ N, 77° 28.283′ W. Marker is near Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker can be reached from Duncan Road (Virginia Route 670) 0.7 miles
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Confederate Counterattack (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); “Our Line of Battle was so Thin” (about 400 feet away); “We Fought Desperately” (about 500 feet away); Lane’s North Carolina Brigade (about 600 feet away); 1st Lieutenant Evander McNair Robeson (about 700 feet away); Battlefield Terrain (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lieutenant Colonel Ronald A. Kennedy (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Breakthrough (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
Also see . . . Pamplin Historical Park and The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. (Submitted on October 19, 2015.)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, October 17, 2015
2. The Breakthrough Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 466 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
