Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Waiting Their Turn
— Petersburg National Battlefield —
These black Union troops sat and listened as the fighting grew louder. Soon they were standing to make way for the wounded going to the rear. From flesh wounds to those close to death, many of the wounded, out of agony, “were moaning and bellowing like wild beasts,” recounted their commander Colonel Henry Thomas, “We stood there for over an hour with this endless procession of wounded men passing. There could be no greater strain on the nerves. Unable to strike a blow, we were sickened with the contemplation of revolting forms of death and mutilation.”
At 7:30 am, they were finally ordered forward.
Erected 2016 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 30, 1864.
Location. 37° 13.021′ N, 77° 22.245′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is on Siege Road, 0.8 miles east of South Crater Road (U.S. 301), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Fatal Error (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Prelude to the Crater (about 600 feet away); Joshua L. Chamberlain Promoted “On The Spot” (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Struggle Across Poor Creek (approx. 0.3 miles away); Digging the Mine (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ventilation Shaft (approx. 0.3 miles away); “A Stupendous Failure” (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederate Counterattack (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
Also see . . . Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service (Submitted on March 25, 2017.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 277 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 25, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.