Two exhausted armies, ten bloody months
Historians explain the grim Siege of Petersburg at Lincoln Presidential Library Feb. 5

[February 02, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – As the Civil War neared its end, the exhausted armies found themselves in a deadly stalemate, facing each other in a system of trench lines ringing both Petersburg and the Confederate capital of Richmond. The soldiers dug in for 10 bloody months, with the Confederates repulsing a series of Union assaults.

The often-overlooked Siege of Petersburg will be the focus of a presentation by two historians at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Feb. 5.

Using maps, photos and soldiers’ own words, Mark DePue and Bob Davis will examine the brutal campaign for Petersburg, beginning with the Union’s near-victory in June 1864 through the bitter winter of 1864-65. The Union disaster at the Battle of the Crater will get special attention.

This free event is part of Illinois’ observance of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. It begins at 6:30 p.m. in the museum’s Union Theater.

Reservations can be made by visiting www.presidentlincoln.gov  and clicking on “Special event tickets and reservations” or by calling 217-558-8934.

The siege introduced America to the grinding trench warfare that would be common during World War I. It also saw the large-scale use of African-American troops and a daring but tragic attempt to penetrate Confederate lines with a single huge explosion.

Dr. Mark DePue is director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s oral history program. Bob Davis is a reenactor with the 29th U.S. Colored Troops and a scholar on African-American contributions to the war effort.

April 9th will mark the final presentation in the presidential library’s series on major Civil War battles, with the focus on Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

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