Today in History: Grant’s Army Attacks Confederate Lines at Petersburg

Petersburg, Va. Fortifications
Today in History–April 2–the Library of Congress features the attack of Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia on this day in 1865. Led by U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant, the battle lasted less than a day and helped hasten the capture of Richmond about a month later. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access more primary sources about Petersburg, Virginia and the Civil War.

Grant Attacked Petersburg, Virginia from America’s Library

Petersburg image set

Petersburg maps

Petersburg sheet music

Petersburg books & other texts

Newspaper articles related to Grant and Petersburg April, 1865

More Civil War primary sources & teaching resources