Petersburg National Battlefield Park
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Petersburg National Battlefield Park is operated by the National Park Service in Petersburg, Virginia, and the surrounding area. During the last years of the American Civil War, Union Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant determined that the successful capture of Petersburg and its network of railroads was the key to the fall of the Confederate capital city of Richmond.
The Siege of Petersburg in 1864-65 was supplied from Union headquarters at City Point, a port at the confluence of the James River and Appomattox River. From the port there, the City Point Railroad was used and expanded to support the Union forces during the siege.
After the fall of Petersburg, Richmond was abandoned by Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. The retreating troops of General Robert E. Lee were pursued from Petersburg in the Appomattox Campaign, surrendering less than a week later, effectively ending the war.
The Petersburg National Battlefield was established as a national military park on July 3, 1926. It includes many forts along the former Union lines, including the site of the famous Battle of the Crater where Confederate Maj. Gen. William Mahone turned a surprise Union attack into one of the South's last victories.
Major units include:
- Eastern Front Visitor's Center, located off State Route 36 between Interstate 95 and Interstate 295. The Visitor's Center features exhibits on aspects of the siege, battlefield artifacts on display, and a 17-minute map program shown on the hour and half-hour.
- Grant's Headquarters at City Point Museum is located at Appomattox Manor in Hopewell.
Also included in the Park are Five Forks Battlefield and Poplar Grove National Cemetery.
