First published 1995
Noah Andre Trudeau examines one of the Civil War's most significant military campaigns through the ten-month siege that determined the war's outcome. His account focuses on the prolonged battle that stretched from June 1864 to April 1865, when Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant systematically encircled Confederate positions around the vital railroad hub. Trudeau draws on extensive research to detail the tactical innovations, trench warfare, and human cost of this protracted engagement. The book includes comprehensive maps and photographs that illuminate the terrain and strategic positions. Written as part of the National Parks Civil War Series, Trudeau's work serves both as historical analysis and practical guide for visitors exploring the Virginia battlefield. The narrative captures how this grinding campaign ultimately broke Confederate resistance and forced Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
Genres: american-civil-war, 20th-century, non-fiction, military-history, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction
Setting: Petersburg, Virginia
Period: 1864-1865
51 pages · Paperback · Eastern National Park and Monument Association