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Contact: Ann Blumenschine, 804-732-3531, ext. 203
PETERSBURG, Va - On Saturday, June 18, Petersburg National Battlefield will present two programs. The first program, from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, will be a living history event at Tour Stop 3 that will honor “Juneteenth”. A living historian will discuss the role of African American troops in the Siege of Petersburg, and the importance of Juneteenth in American history. The second program will focus on the charge of the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery Unit on June 18, 1864, during the opening battles for Petersburg. The free, 45-minute program will start at 6:00 pm at the Eastern Front Unit Visitor Center parking lot.
About Juneteenth
Juneteenth represents June 19, 1865, a day when federal forces entered Galveston, Texas to free the last of the enslaved people in the United States. It marks the day when the United States became an actual “free” nation for all. Juneteenth became an official national holiday on June 17, 2021.
About the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery
This unit has the distinction of sustaining more battle losses than any other of the 2,047 Federal regiments that saw service during the Civil War. This is particularly remarkable since these losses were suffered in the last 10 months of the war. At Petersburg on June 18, 1864, the regiment sustained the greatest losses of any one regiment in any one action of the war: out of the nearly 900 men who attacked, 632 were killed or wounded in less than thirty minutes.
If You Go
The Eastern Front Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield is the location where Union troops made their first major attacks on the City of Petersburg in mid-June, 1864. Today, visitors can learn more about the history of the site by touring the museum, viewing the 19-minute video, or travelling the Unit’s four mile, 7 stop tour road. There are also ten miles of nature trails suitable for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. The Eastern Front Unit of Petersburg National Battlefield is located at 5001 Siege Road in Petersburg.
Petersburg National Battlefield was created to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. Park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors. For more information about events at Petersburg National Battlefield, please visit our website at www.nps.gov/pete, become a fan on our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @PetersburgNPS.
Last updated: June 9, 2022