Petersburg National Military Park, Virginia

by Richard Wayne Lykes

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Stewart L. Udall, Secretary

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Conrad L. Wirth, Director

HISTORICAL HANDBOOK NUMBER THIRTEEN

This publication is one of a series of handbooks describing the historical and archeological areas in the National Park System administered by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior. It is printed by the Government Printing Office and may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington 25, D. C.

Price 25 cents.

PETERSBURG
National Military Park, Virginia

by Richard Wayne Lykes

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORICAL HANDBOOK SERIES NO. 13
Washington, D. C., 1951
(Reprint 1961)

The National Park System, of which this area is a unit, is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United States for the benefit and inspiration of its people.

Contents

Page [The Union Strategy of 1864] 2 [The Strategic Importance of Petersburg] 4 [The Battle of Petersburg, June 15-18, 1864] 8 [First Union Attempt on the Weldon Railroad] 11 [The Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864] 12 [The Fight for the Weldon Railroad] 22 [Union Encirclement Continues] 25 [The South Strikes Back—the Battle of Fort Stedman] 34 [Union Encirclement Becomes a Reality] 39 [The Fall of the City] 43 [Guide to the Area] 46 [How to Reach the Park] 55 [Administration] 56 [Related Areas] 56 [Visitor Facilities] 56