Petersburg National Battlefield

1539 HICKORY HILL ROAD
PETERSBURG NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
PETERSBURG, VA 23803, USA

Website: http://www.nps.gov/pete

On June 15, 1864, Union forces made their first major attempt to destroy Richmond's main supply base: Petersburg. For four days, repeated attempts are made to take the city by direct attack, but each attempt fails. Finally General Ulysses S. Grant decides to lay siege to Petersburg. Northern forces proceed around the Confederate defense line, intent on wearing down Confederate forces by cutting off railroads and other supply lines. Following almost ten months of siege warfare, which included the Battles of the Crater, Weldon Railroad, Reams Station, Fort Stedman, White Oak Road, and Five Forks, Union troops finally break through the Confederate defensive line. General Robert E. Lee's soldiers are forced to not only retreat from Petersburg, but also Richmond. Seven days after the Siege of Petersburg ends, General Lee's Army surrenders at Appomattox.