answersLogoWhite

0

The US Civil War Siege of Petersburg lasted from June 15, 1864 to April 2, 1865. Ulysses S. Grant's northern armies (the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James) launched nine offensives against Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and assorted troops from the Department of Southern Virginia and North Carolina. Lee's Confederate troops were defending the cities of Richmond and Petersburg.

Richmond, as the capital of the Confederacy, was an incredibly important symbol of the Confederacy. Petersburg, 20 miles south, supplied Richmond through several railroads coming in from other parts of the South.

Interestingly, the Siege of Petersburg was not a true siege because the Union army never completely encircled Lee's Confederates, who could and ultimately did leave to the west when Lee's lines were irreparably broken on April 2, 1865.

Over 50,000 Union soldiers and 32,000 Confederate soldiers were casualties in the nine month campaign.

User Avatar

Wiki User

7y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about General History

When did the Union siege of Petersburg begin?

From June 19, 1864, Petersburg was effectively under siege by the Union army. This city was important because Richmond had been able to receive supplies from that city.


What are some Interesting facts about siege of Petersburg?

The US Civil War siege of Petersburg was important in a number of ways: 1. Despite overwhelming odds, the North was unable to break through the elaborate fortification system devided by General Robert E. Lee and his generals; 2. The key to the capture of Petersburg would lead to the fall of Richmond as the supply route by rail and road ran from Petersburg to Richmond; 3. As with Petersburg, the fortifications of Richmond were designed perfectly; 4. One Union plan to break the siege on Petersburg was a tunnel under the fortifications. That failed; and 5. It took ten months but the siege was finally a success.


Where did Grant defeat Lee?

At the siege of Petersburg, Virginia on 15 June 1864.


Why was US Civil War's Siege of Petersburg important?

The Siege of Petersburg was important because it displayed the value of excellent fortifications. The Confederate entrenchments were able to prevent the Federals from capturing Petersburg and cutting Richmond off from the vital supplies it needed. When the siege was finally ended after nine months of Union operations to take the city, it signaled that the US Civil War was only days from its end.


What route did the union and confederate troops follow from the battle of the wilderness to the siege of petersburg?

Spotsylvania and Coldharbour.