The 292-day Siege of Petersburg was the longest siege in United States military history. While the siege was initiated on June 15, 1864, the Federal attackers sought a quick victoryâthe capture of the vital rail and road center of Petersburg, Virginiaâsome 23 miles south of the Confederate capital of Richmond. If Petersburg fell, the supply system feeding the Rebel capital would crumble, and the Yankees could easily capture Richmond while isolating the Confederate defenders from supplies and reinforcements from the Deep South.
On April 2, 1865, a general assault along the Confederate lines by the Federals finally scored the “Breakthrough,” that was so long sought after. That night, Lee ordered Petersburg and Richmond evacuated, and what was left of the Confederate armies in the region streamed west toward Appomattox in a vain attempt to link up with Confederate Gen. Joseph Johnston’s forces operating in North Carolina.
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