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

Confederate Counterattack

By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007

1. Confederate Counterattack Marker

This marker is located on the walking trail at "The Crater" Tour Stop.

Inscription. “I counted 21 Union flags flying from the Crater and these works. The sight gave me no hope of ever getting away alive.”
- Capt. James E. Phillips, 12th Virginia Infantry

Union disorganization gave the Confederates the time they needed to respond to the crisis at the Crater. At 9 a.m., Confederate Brig. Gen. William Mahone’s division rushed to the depression about 200 yards to your right. Just as the Federals were forming to renew the attack, Mahone’s leading brigade charged.

In a wild melee against great odds, the 800 Virginians recaptured the trenches here, just north of the Crater. Later, other Confederates attacked the Crater itself. By mid-afternoon the Crater and its surrounding works were again in Confederate hands.

Erected by Petersburg National Battlefield - National Park Service - Dept. of the Interior.

Location. 37° 13.114′ N, 77° 22.65′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Siege Road. Touch for map. Marker is in Petersburg National Battlefield. It is located on a walking trail that starts at Tour Stop 8. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Markers at the Crater Site image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007

2. Markers at the Crater Site

The Confederate Counterattack Marker is one of many markers and monuments at the Crater site. The marker is one of the "Talking Markers" and tells the story of the Confederate Counterattack.

marker. “A Stupendous Failure” (here, next to this marker); The Crater (here, next to this marker); Crater of Mine (here, next to this marker); Confederate Countermine (a few steps from this marker); Mahone (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Pennsylvania Veteran Heavy Artillery (within shouting distance of this marker); South Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker); Mahone’s Brigade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.

More about this marker. The background of the marker is a picture of the fighting in this area with the caption The attack of Weisiger’s Brigade, showing the fighting on the ground where you are now standing. The bulging rim of the Crater is visible to the left.

Also see . . .
1. Crater. CWSAC Battle Summaries. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

2. Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

3. The Siege of Petersburg. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)

Categories. • War, US Civil •

Site of the Crater image. Click for full size.

By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007

3. Site of the Crater

During the counterattack, the Confederates trapped many Union soldiers in the Crater. Most of these soldiers were killed, wounded or captured. The Crater is still visible today.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,135 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.