Richmond is surrounded by historic battlefield sites from the Civil War, Cold Harbor, Seven Pines, Yellow Tavern, Malvern Hill, but in the closing days of the war the action shifted south to Petersburg where Union and Confederate forces dug in for 9 months of trench warfare. Grant extended his lines; Lee extended his lines, the only difference, Grant had unlimited reinforcements, Lee had none. Both Lee and Grant tried to break this stalemate many times. Perhaps the most dramatic and terrible battle that took place was the Battle of the Crater.
For several weeks in June and July, Pennsylvania miners dug a tunnel under the Confederate lines. When completed it was packed with explosives. Specially troops trained for the attack were replaced at the last minute and the result was disaster. The explosion devastated Confederate lines and instead of entering the breach and spreading out, these new troops ran smack into the wall and piled up at the bottom of the crater. Thousands of these troops were slaughtered by Lee's soldiers as they rush back to the front and found there enemy helpless. Certain victory again was turned to defeat and the war continued another nine months.
The Petersburg National Battlefield Park has two different locations. The main site is in Petersburg where the Battle of the Crater took place. Remnants of the crater and the tunnel still exist. The City Point site is located in Hopewell at the confluence of the James and Appomattox rivers. This serene location was home to General Grant throughout the siege and the main supply point for all Union troops. In 1864 and 1865 dozens of ships lay anchored in the river and railroads were constructed to bring ammunition, troops and food to the front lines. The cabin that General Grant used as his headquarters still stands. Just before the end of the war, Lincoln, Grant and Sherman discussed surrender terms for Confederate troops. Today only a few small cabins serve as a reminder of one of history's great meetings.
For more info go to the NPS website: http://www.nps.gov/pete/
Click here for directions to Petersburg.
Click here for directions to City Point.
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