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Petersburg National BattlefieldPeriod drawing of artillery being fired at siege of Petersbrug
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Petersburg National Battlefield
Fort Stedman: The Collapse
 

March 25, 1865
8:00 am

Fort Stedman - March 25, 1865 - 8 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




By 7:30am the Union forces had sealed the breach and the Union artillery was heavily bombarding Fort Stedman. A coordinated attack started shortly before 8:00am, Hartranft advanced on the fort, re-claimed it, and made the ground between the lines a true "no man's" land for those Confederates retreating to their trenches.


Aftermath

March 26, 1865

This gamble turned out to be a four hour action with no impact on the Union lines. In fact the Union counter attack further down the line near Fort Fisher, produced greater results. The ground won there allowed the Union to launch one of their break through attacks on April 2, 1865.

The battle of Fort Stedman was a devastating blow for Lee's army.

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Red Fox  

Did You Know?
Petersburg National Battlefield is home to 23 species of mammals, 22 species of fish, 48 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 129 species of birds including 18 species of birds that are listed as species of Special Concern in Virginia.

Last Updated: October 07, 2007 at 14:25 EST