On Hallowed Petersburg Ground

“I feel that duty called me here to fight for home and friends most dear. And if I should be called to stand in bloody conflict hand to hand. I’ll trust in God my only stay and fight until I win the day… (Private Ancil Dycus, 34th North Carolina Infantry)

I’m on truly hallowed ground today as I witnessed the bloody resolution to the last major battle campaign of the Civil War at Petersburg, Virginia on the second day of our road trip. Fortunately, a large expanse of the actual battlefield grounds known as “The Breakthrough” we witnessed lies fully preserved for authentic visitor remembrance along several self guided trails at Pamplin Historic Park . Know that in visiting this landmark, I came to realize that the unselfish bravery and ultimate sacrifice of so many Union and Confederate soldiers here on April 2 , 1865 would be the final spark to ultimately produce within days a peaceful resolution to this long Civil War..

Along with our abbreviated walking tour of the actual battlefield grounds, we also learned that the surrounding land during those war torn times functioned as the tobacco thriving enterprise called Tutor Hall Plantation where enslaved black labor laboriously worked the fields as the “War Between The States” unfolded. So it became imperative in the Pamphlin design of this park to also present a restored version of this “Old South” plantation home with adjoining slave quarters as it most likely appeared during the Civil War period for visitors to see for themselves.

After enduring our invigorating walking experience in the summer heat, a welcoming end to today’s Pamphlin tour took place in the air conditioned comfort the Battlefield Center and National Museum of the Civil War Soldier. This indoor tour enabled us to view a multitude of authentic Civil War battle artifacts, a feature film titled “War So Terrible” and most impressively a “high tech” simulation of the sights and sounds experienced during the Petersburg battle in “virtual reality” fashion. As we ended our three hour tour of the Pamphlin tragedy that day, I pondered how similarly my country seems to be spiraling toward a violent period of crisis in the coming years.

Please be advised that the photos shown below are primarily taken on the outside portions of the Pamphlin complex as photography of exhibits inside the buildings was not permitted.