Fort Stedman
Civil War Virginia


American Civil War
March 25, 1865

In a last-gasp offensive, General Robert E. Lee amassed nearly half of his army in an attempt to break through Grant's Petersburg defenses and threaten his supply depot at City Point. 

Directed by Major General John B. Gordon, the pre-dawn assault on March 25 overpowered the garrisons of Fort Stedman and Batteries X, XI, and XII. The Confederates were brought under a killing crossfire, and counterattacks led by Major Generals Parke and Hartranft contained the breakthrough, cut off, and captured more than 1,900 of the attackers.

During the day, elements of the II and VI Corps assaulted and captured the entrenched picket lines in their respective fronts, which had been weakened for the assault on Fort Stedman.

This was a devastating blow for Lee's army, setting up the Confederate defeat at Five Forks on April 1 and the fall of Petersburg on April 2-3.

Result(s): Union victory

Location: Petersburg

Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865) previous battle in campaign    Campaigns

Date(s): March 25, 1865

Principal Commanders: Major General John G. Parke [US]; General Robert E. Lee and Major General John B. Gordon [CS]

Forces Engaged: Corps

Estimated Casualties: 3,850 total (US 950; CS 2,900)

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