Today I ventured out westward from my undisclosed location and visited Petersburg National Battlefield, located partially within and partially just east of Petersburg, Virginia. The Battle of Petersburg took place on June 15-18, 1864, and was followed by a siege that lasted until April 2nd, 1865, making it the longest military event of the Civil War. The entrance and visitor center are located off VA Route 36. Just outside of the visitor center are a large number of old cannons and mortars, each on a concrete support.
A short hike north from the visitor center leads to Confederate Battery 5, an earthwork which today includes this cannon. Union forces captured Battery 5 on June 15th, 1864.
These three other cannons are also situated in Battery 5.
Another trail leads past Battery 5 and to this Union mortar, known as the "Dictator". According to a sign, its interior bore is 13 inches in diameter.
The trail eventually ended at another trail, right next to a railroad track.
A one-way road leads from the visitor center to other sites within the park. The next place I stopped at was Confederate Battery 8, which like Battery 5, includes earthworks.
Here's another section of Battery 8, the earthworks including a trench between two ridges. This battery was captured by black Union troops.
I think I'll stop here, but there will be lots more of Petersburg National Battlefield very soon.
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