Petersburg National Military Park, Virginia

"Petersburg National Military Park, Virginia" by Richard Wayne Lykes is a historical account likely written in the mid-20th century. This publication serves as a part of the National Park Service's series of handbooks dedicated to describing historical and archaeological sites within the National Park System. The primary focus of this handbook is to provide detailed information about the significant Civil War battles and campaigns that took place in the Petersburg area, including strategic analysis and the impact on the wider war. The opening of the book sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of the pivotal role Petersburg played during the American Civil War, particularly its significance as a supply depot for Richmond. It outlines the Union and Confederate strategies leading into the campaign, the various battles that occurred from June 1864 through early 1865, and the overall military significance of these confrontations. The narrative begins with an examination of the Union's strategic approach and the Confederate defenses, establishing a framework to understand the subsequent details of the battles and the eventual fall of Petersburg, which marked a turning point in the Civil War.