Definition
The Third Battle of Petersburg was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America on April 2, 1865, during the American Civil War.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: The Third Battle of Petersburg is also called the “Breakthrough at Petersburg” and the “Fall of Petersburg.”
- Date Started: The Third Battle of Petersburg started on Sunday, April 2, 1865.
- Date Ended: The fighting ended on April 2, 1865.
- Location: The battle took place in Dinwiddie County, near Petersburg, Virginia.
- Who Won: The United States of America won the Third Battle of Petersburg.
- Civil War Campaign: The Third Battle of Petersburg was part of the Appomattox Campaign.
This illustration depicts the fighting at the Third Battle of Petersburg. Image Source: Library of Congress.
Commanders and Forces Involved
Principal Union Commanders
- Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant
- Major General George G. Meade
- Major general Edward O. C. Ord
Principal Confederate Commanders
- General Robert E. Lee
Union Forces Engaged
- Army of the Potomac
Confederate Forces Engaged
- Army of Northern Virginia
Casualties and Statistics
Number of Union Soldiers Engaged
- Roughly 63,000
Number of Confederate Soldiers Engaged
- Roughly 18–20,000
Estimated Union Casualties
- 3,500 (killed, wounded, and captured/missing)
Estimated Confederate Casualties
- 4,250 (killed, wounded, and captured/missing)
Results of the Third Battle of Petersburg
- The outcome of the Third Battle of Petersburg was a Union victory.
Timeline of the Third Battle of Petersburg
This list shows the main battles and events that took place before and after the Third Battle of Petersburg, and how it fits into the chronological order of the Appomattox Campaign.
- March 29, 1865 — Battle of Lewis’s Farm
- March 31, 1865 — Battle of White Oak Road
- March 31, 1865 — Battle of Dinwiddie Court House
- April 1, 1865 — Battle of Five Forks
- April 2, 1865 — Third Battle of Petersburg
- April 2, 1865 — Battle of Sutherland’s Station
- April 3, 1865 — Battle of Namozine Church
- April 5–6, 1865 — Battle of Amelia Springs
- April 6, 1865 — Battle of Sailor’s Creek
- April 6, 1865 — Battle of Rice’s Station
- April 6–7, 1865 — Battle of High Bridge
- April 7, 1865 — Battle of Cumberland Church
- April 8, 1865 — Battle of Appomattox Station
- April 9, 1865 — Battle of Appomattox Court House
- April 9, 1865 — Surrender at Appomattox Court House