“Picks and Shovels” – Fortifications in the Siege of Petersburg

Learn the difference between a parados and a banquette, or a bastion and a re-entrant. On Saturday, January 17, 2009 Petersburg National Battlefield will sponsor a caravan tour, led by Ranger Randy Watkins, which will explore military engineering and fortifications as they were employed during the siege of Petersburg. The eight hour tour will […]

December 16, 2008; 11:22 AM • by brenda p

Learn the difference between a parados and a banquette, or a bastion and a re-entrant. On Saturday, January 17, 2009 Petersburg National Battlefield will sponsor a caravan tour, led by Ranger Randy Watkins, which will explore military engineering and fortifications as they were employed during the siege of Petersburg. The eight hour tour will commence at 9:00 a.m. at the Eastern Front Visitor Center. Sites visited will include Forts Darling and Stevens, Dantzler Battery and the Howlett Line on Bermuda Hundred. Petersburg area fortifications will include the Dimmock Line and later siege and defense lines around Petersburg out to Hatcher’s Run and Confederate Fort Gregg on the far Confederate right flank. Fortification schemes and construction techniques will be featured and compared with the little known World War I trenches located on portions of the battlefield that were part of Camp Lee, now Fort Lee.

Participants will follow along in their personal vehicles behind the Ranger. A bag lunch, comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are encouraged.

The cost of the tour will be the normal per vehicle entrance fee of $5.00 (Petersburg Annual Passes, Senior Passes, Access Passes, and NPS Annual Passes will be honored).

Pre-registration will be required since the tour capacity is ten vehicles. To pre-register, call 804-732-3531, ext. 205 prior to 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 15, 2009. When registering please provide your name, best telephone contact number, and e-mail address, if you have one, and the approximate number in your party. Your registration will be confirmed by telephone.

Historically, more registrations will be received than can be accommodated. Registrants in excess of the tour limit will be placed on a waiting list pending cancellations. Sufficient demand may result in one or more additional caravan tours later in the year. For additional information on the tour, call 804-732-3531, ext. 205 and Ranger Watkins will return your call as soon as possible.

REGISTER EARLY TO RESERVE A PLACE ON THE FORTIFATIONS TOUR.

Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors.

December 16, 2008 11:22 AM 0