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The “Siege of Petersburg – Lee Strikes Back” orientation marker is at the parking area at Stop Five on the Petersburg National Battlefield Eastern Front Auto Tour.
Text from the marker:
Siege of Petersburg – Lee Strikes Back
March 25, 1865 Battle of Fort Stedman to
Battle of Jones Farm
By March 1865 Confederate General Robert E. Lee had suffered through nearly nine months of fighting, had repulsed seven Union offensives, and had his men spread along a 37-mile-long front. Knowing that it was only a matter of time before his lines would break he took a desperate gamble and lanched his only offensive of the siege.
You are standing where Lee had pinned his hopes for breaking the Union grip on his army.
Caption from the map:
Morning March 25, 1865- Lee launches a pre-dawn surprise assault on Union Fort Stedman hoping to break the Union grip on Petersburg. Within four hours Lee’s gamble has failed completely.
Afternoon March 25, 1865 – Union forces strike where Lee weakened his line for launching the Fort Stedman attack. By nightfall Union forces gain valuable ground for their breakthrough assault on April 2, 1865.
Location of the “Siege of Petersburg – Lee Strikes Back” orientation marker
The marker is on the west side of the parking area at Stop Five.