How did Petersburg and its surrounding area appear during the long siege? We can “look back” in time by examining some of the many photographs and drawings maintained by the U.S. National Archives.

• The North used railroads as a base for weapons against the Confederates. "The Petersburg Express (also called "The Dictator") was a 13-inch, 17,000-pound mortar which Federal troops used to shell Petersburg 2½ miles away.



• The Union siege line around Petersburg used wickerware (gabions), sharpened stakes (fraises) and branches (abatis) to protect the lines.



• The Confederates used Fascine trench breastworks, among other things, to defend their lines.



• A Federal Army forge, in front of Petersburg, kept workers busy in August of 1864.



• Weeks after the Battle of the Crater, a few members of the Federal Army of the Potomac relaxed in front of Petersburg during the siege.



• Quarters near Fort Brady, Petersburg lines.



• Inside of battery at Ft.Brady, Petersburg lines.



• Mounting mortars, Butler’s lines, near Petersburg, in the summer of 1864.



• Battery in front of Petersburg, a besieged city.



• Lookout tower at Petersburg.



• Part of General Grant’s lines.



• Breastworks at and above Petersburg.



• Ft. Stedman breastworks in front of Petersburg.



• Inside Confederate lines at Petersburg.



• In the trenches before Petersburg.



• Many soldiers - like this one - did not survive the Petersburg trenches.



• Exterior of "Fort Hell," Petersburg lines.



• Graves near Petersburg, in Warren’s Station, Virginia.



• Inside and outside Ft. Sedgwick - also called Ft. Hell - in 1865



• Swamp from which the Confederates were driven at the point of bayonets, near Petersburg

On April 2, 1864 General Lee was forced to evacuate Petersburg. One week later, on April 9th, the revered General surrendered at the McLean House in the Village of Appomattox Court House.

Inman had escaped Petersburg long before the city fell. But as he journeyed back home to Cold Mountain, he would encounter many dangers, including marauding bands of the "Home Guard."