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

Battle of Petersburg

25 April 1781

— First Line Of Defense —

Battle of Petersburg Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

1. Battle of Petersburg Marker

Inscription. On 25 Apr. 1781, American Brig. Gen. Peter Muhlenberg formed his first line of 500 Virginia militia here to meet the British. The line extended along East Street from the Appomattox River to present-day Washington Street and consisted of two infantry regiments. Maj. Gen. William Phillips' 2,500-man army, including one Light Infantry battalion and the 76th and 80th Regiments of Foot, struck the Americans here. After several assaults and the deployment of four British cannon, the militia withdrew westward, through Blandford (then a separate town), across Lieutenant Run, and on to Madison Street in eastern Petersburg.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number QA-23.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 25, 1781.

Location. 37° 14.082′ N, 77° 23.4′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of East Bank Street and East Street, on the right when traveling west on East Bank Street. 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 different marker also named Battle of Petersburg (approx. 0.4

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miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Petersburg (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Battle of Petersburg (approx. half a mile away); East Hill (approx. 0.6 miles away); Blandford Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Blandford Church and Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Petersburg (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Battle of Petersburg (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . The Battle of Blandford, also called the Battle of Petersburg. “The first line was composed of the regiments of Thomas Merriweather and John Dick, with Merriweather’s anchoring the left of the line at the river, and Dick’s the right, extending into the hills south of Blandford.” (Submitted on April 23, 2016.)

Corner of E Bank St & East St. facing west towards Petersburg. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

2. Corner of E Bank St & East St. facing west towards Petersburg.

Facing east on E Bank St towards Poor Creek and the British position. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, March 29, 2009

3. Facing east on E Bank St towards Poor Creek and the British position.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,149 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.