Petersburg, the seige of

Battle Name : Petersburg, the seige of

Date(s) : 19 June 1864 - 02 April 1865

Part of : American Civil War , Eastern Theatre, 1864 , Petersburg Campaign ,

Outcome : A victory for American Union Forces over American Confederate Forces

Type of battle : Land, Seige

Summary

Almost 10 months of siege, with Grant slowly extending his line to encircle the Petersburg-Richmond defences, and cut Lee's supply route from the south. It was characterised by trench warfare, prescient of that to follow in 1914, and dramatic actions designed either to crush the defence in a particular place, or to break the Union hold over the city. Eventually, although the hardened veteran defenders withstood massive odds, time, supply and attrition told, and before Grant could finally close the encirclement, Lee was forced to withdraw.