Battle of Fort Stedman Facts

March 25, 1865

Battle of Fort Stedman facts, including dates, location, casualties, leaders, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. This fact sheet provides a quick overview of the battle and is for kids doing research and students preparing for the AP U.S. History (APUSH) exam.

Portrait of Ulysses S. Grant

The Union victory Battle of Fort Stedman opened the door for Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant to seize the Boydton Plank Road and the South Side Railroad – prizes he had coveted since the autumn of 1864 during the Petersburg Campaign. [Wikimedia Commons]

Also Known As

  • Battle of Hare’s Hill

Date

  • March 25, 1865

Location

  • East of Petersburg, Virginia

Campaign

Principal Union Commanders

  • Major General John G. Parke
  • Major General John F. Hartranft

Principal Confederate Commanders

  • Major General John B. Gordon

Union Forces Engaged

  • Army of the Potomac (2nd, 5th, 6th, 9th Corps)

Confederate Forces Engaged

  • Army of Northern Virginia (2nd, 4th, reserve corps)

Number of Union Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 14,898

Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged

  • Roughly 10,000

Estimated Union Casualties

  • 1,044 (72 killed, 450 wounded, 522 missing/captured)

Estimated Confederate Casualties

  • 4,000 (600 killed, 2,400 wounded,1,000 missing/captured)

Result

  • Union victory

Significance

  • The Battle of Fort Stedman opened the door for Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant to seize the Boydton Plank Road and the South Side Railroad – prizes he had coveted since the autumn of 1864.

Timeline of the Petersburg Campaign

These are the main battles and events of the Petersburg Campaign in order.