Petersburg in Dinwiddie County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Sergeant John E. Buffington
The Breakthrough
— Pamplin Historical Park —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
1. Sergeant John E. Buffington Marker
Sergeant John E. Buffington
6th Maryland Infantry, 2nd Brigade,
3rd Division (Seymour), Sixth Corps
Resident: Carroll County, Maryland
Enlisted: August 1862
Sergeant John Ezra Buffington, with five other men of his regiment, stormed the ramparts of the Confederate works near this position during the attack on April 2, 1865. The commander of the brigade that included the 6th Maryland wrote after the battle, “I have made a full investigation as to who was in fact the first man from this brigade to enter the works and am fully satisfied that Sergeant John E. Buffington, Co. C 6th Maryland Volunteers was the first man to pass over the works.” It was not until March 4, 1908 that Buffington was awarded the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry in carrying the lines of the enemy at Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865.”
Erected by Pamplin Historical Park.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 4, 1858.
Location. 37° 10.82′ N, 77° 28.443′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia, in Dinwiddie County. Marker can be reached from Duncan
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lieutenant Colonel George B. Damon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Attack Begins (within shouting distance of this marker); Brother vs. Brother (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Confederate Fortifications (about 300 feet away); McGowan’s South Carolina Brigade (about 300 feet away); 1st Lieutenant Octavius Augustus Wiggins (about 300 feet away); “The Strongest Line of Works Ever Constructed” (about 300 feet away); First Man Over the Works (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
More about this marker. The bottom left of the marker contains a photograph of Sergeant John Buffington. Above that is a battle map of the Breakthrough, indicating the approach of the Union troops and the location of the marker.
Also see . . .
1. Breakthrough at Petersburg. The American Civil War website. (Submitted on January 17, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Final Assault. The Civil War Siege of Petersburg. (Submitted on January 17, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
2. Marker on the Breakthrough Trail
The Confederate fortifications stormed by Sergeant Buffington and his men on April 2, 1865 can be seen in the photo behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2007
3. Breakthrough Battle Map from Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,330 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
