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

Confederate Counterattack

Photographed 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.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 13.114′ N, 77° 22.65′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Siege Road. Marker is in Petersburg National Battlefield. It is located on a walking trail that starts at Tour Stop 8. 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

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this 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); Union High Tide (within shouting distance of this marker); South Carolina (within shouting distance of this marker). 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 . . . Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

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

Photographed 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.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 22, 2021

3. Confederate Counterattack Marker

Marker at right with “Union High Tide” marker on the left.

Site of the Crater image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007

4. 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 February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,373 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on November 1, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on November 1, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. submitted on April 13, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.