S5301s

The Civil War

Battle of Petersburg

Signature

Collins Cover Announcement

The Civil War Battle of Petersburg

This encounter was one of the final battles of the Civil War. Commonly known as the Siege of Petersburg, it was a series of battles fought between June 9, 1864 and March 25, 1865 for control of the Virginia city of Petersburg. It was a crucial supply center fôr Confederate forces as well as for their capital city of Richmond. General Lee finally gave in to the pressure and abandoned both cities in April 1865 which led to his surrender at Appomattox Court House.

My individually hand painted cachet shows the famous mortar named the "Dictator" that was used by the Union Army during the siege. This lethal weapon was a 13-inch cannon mounted on a specially reinforced railroad platform car. It weighed 17,000 pounds and could fire a large explosive shell about 21/2 miles. G Company of the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery used the "Dictator" on sections of the Petersburg and City Point Railroad during the siege. The colorful full envelope cachet combined with the large stamp makes this First Day Cover an awesome Civil War philatelic collectible.

The Battle of Petersburg is now available. Collins #S5301 at $15.00.