Union Perspective:
"All but the imperturbable general-in-chief were on their feet giving vent to wild
demonstrations of joy. For some minutes there was a bewildering state of excitement, grasping of hands, tossing up of hats,
and slapping of each other on the back....(The Battle of Five Forks) meant the beginning of the end- the reaching of the 'last
ditch.' It pointed to peace and home. Dignity was thrown to the winds."
- A recollection by one of Grant's officer on the
night of April 1-2, 1865
“The 1st day of April was a glorious day for the Union for in my opinion
the gates to Richmond and Petersburg were opened.”
- From a letter by Mair Pointon, Co. A, 6th Wis. Inf. to his brother
dated 4/24/65.
“The Prisoners we took … said they never saw Cavalry fight as
we did. They were Picket’s Division that claimed they never were whiped. But they took a lesson on April 1st that took
the conceit all out of them.”
- Capt. John Clark, 7th Mich Cav. in a letter to Wm. Whedon dated 4/16/65.
“Here Brother Thede, noble and brave boy, was struck through with
a piece of shell. Helped him from the field. Suffered awfully. In answer to my questions he said: “Luman, I think my
wound is mortal. I can not live. I have tried to do my duty today. Tell mother I only wish I had been a better boy. I hope
that God will accept me and take me to Heaven.” I buried him in a rough box beneath a cedar tree in front of the house
and across the road and cut the headboard with a knife. God sustain mother.”
- Diary entry from Major Luman Harris
Tenney, 2nd Ohio cav. on 4/1/65.
It was with no small emotion that I neared the place I left nearly three
years before. Here we are, some with whole skins, and Some not so whole. Others have been left behind. For myself, I can only
wonder that there is a bone left In my carcass when I think of the wholesale carnage through which I have passed. My bruises
are inward.
It is all over now, and I can only regard it as a hideous dream -- the smoking
ruins, the sodden fields, the trailing banner, the slaughtered thousands and wailing families, the roar of the cannon, the
Rebel Yell and Yankee Hurrah have all passed away, and we again return to peace.
- John Haley, 17th Maine Volunteer
Confederate Perspective:
“I do not mean to say that had it not been for Five Forks the South would have won the war. It came too late
to stem inevitable tide of defeat for the Southern arms – but it did bring about the end when there was no need for
it. It did put to naught the skill and genius of Lee, and what the final result might have been had we driven Sheridan back
to Grant’s lines in defeat, can never be known.”
- Colonel Thomas T. Munford
“You cannot regret as much as I did that you were not with us at the
final struggle. . .If you had been there with your cavalry the results at Five Forks would have been different. But how long
the contest could have been prolonged it is difficult.”
- Robert E. Lee to Wade Hampton, 4 months post-battle
“… it is hardly exaggerating when you speak of that fatal lunch
as the ruin of the Confederacy. It certainly did, at least, hasten the catastrophe.”
- Jefferson Davis to Thomas
T. Munford / 1889
Profiles of Duty
Nine and half months of fighting in the trenches around
Petersburg culminated in a two hour battle at a country crossroads in Dinwiddie County known as Five Forks. In this contest,
Confederate Cavalry commanded by Pickett and Union Cavalry commanded by Sheridan would meet. In a siege characterized by months
of fighting mainly on the part of infantry and artillery soldiers behind the protection of defenses, it is ironic that Union
Cavalry charging across an open landscape would cause the collapse of the Confederate army.
Learn more about the role of Cavalry at the Battle of Five Forks. Explore
the strategy of the armies in the final battles of the siege and learn how to equip a Cavalry soldier.
Cavalry soldiers were by no means absent during the
months of fighting around Petersburg. A raiding party of Union Cavalry, led by General James H. Wilson and General August
V. Kautz quickly moved south to destroy the South Side Railroad following the initial assaults on Petersburg. For three days,
they alternated between destroying Confederate tracks and depots, but were finally repulsed by Confederate forces. Three months
later, a Confederate Cavalry raid under Wade Hampton caught Union security forces off guard, when they rounded up 2500 head
of cattle behind Union lines and herded to Confederate lines. They successfully traveled about 100 miles and in total gathered
2 million pounds of beef.
While raiding and scouting for infantry soldiers on the move was certainly
an important role of cavalry around Petersburg, at no time during the siege was their role as critical as at the Battle of
Five Forks. With Union soldiers taking the offensive to finally break Confederate lines, and Confederate forces defending
these lines and their last supply route into Petersburg, success was critical for both armies.
Explore the opposing strategies of the Cavalry at the Battle of Five
Forks.
End of March 1865
Union Perspective:
Under Grant’ orders General Philip Sheridan was to:
Break camp along the military railroad on the morning
of the 29th.
Head for the Confederate rear and pass around the left flank of Warren’s corps
Make for Dinwiddie
Court House
Attack the enemy in his entrenched position and force him out if possible.
If Sheridan could do this, he could push for the Danville [Rail]road, where
the line crossed the South Side. Damaging both rail lines would prevent Lee from using the South Side to retreat as Grant
expected Lee to do.
Confederate Perspective:
“He [Lee] told me that General Sheridan’s cavalry were concentrating in the vicinity of Five Forks,
bent upon a raid upon our communications, with the intention of breaking up the South Side Railroad, and that it was important
for us to maintain that [rail line] intact.”
Fitz Lee
By the morning of the 28th, Lee received a report that Grant’s Army
of the James had crossed the James and Appomattox Rivers, traveling towards Petersburg.
Lee gave the following orders to Pickett and Fitz Lee:
Pickett was dispatched to take his cavalry southwest of Petersburg
Fitz
Lee was directed to lead Munford and Payne’s forces to Sutherland Station on the South Side railroad.
On the Move
Union Perspective:
“To make a detour was to go from bad to worse. In the face of these discouragements we floundered on, however,
crossing on the way a series of small streams swollen to their banks.”
- Sheridan
Phil Sheridan led his newly supplied and recently remounted troops southwest
along the Jerusalem Plank Road. Union cavalry had trouble on the plank roads, due to the rain and mud, and leaving the plank
road did not help. He passed near Ream’s Station on the Weldon Railroad, in hopes of crossing a creek to continue towards
Five Forks. Unfortunately, he found that not only had the bridge been burned, but that Confederate forces fired at them from
the west bank.
The cavalry dismounted, drove off the enemy with a heavy fire, and then
began the task of building a makeshift bridge sturdy enough to support the weight of horses, cannons, and wagons. They finally
crossed and continued on their journey.
Confederate Perspective:
George Pickett prepared his men for the march, crossed the Appomattox and then made his way for Petersburg Station
on the South Side Railroad. Pickett ensured that all troops were loaded into boxcars and flatcars, before the train traveled
west. At 9:00 that evening, the train completed its twenty-mile run to Sutherland where the troops unloaded. They were ordered
to form ranks as the rain began to fall.
On his mare, Pickett led the troops through the mud and rain. With updated
orders, he made his way to the trenches on the White Oak Road, east of Five Forks.
While Pickett led the infantry, the cavalrymen under Rooney Lee were breaking
camp to also move to the Five Forks vicinity to link with Fitz Lee. The march west was hard on man and beast because of the
foul weather and muddy roads.
Destination Reached
Union Perspective:
“[Sheridan] took a decidedly cheerful view of matters, and entered upon a very animated discussion of the
coming movements. He said he could drive in the whole cavalry force for the enemy with ease, and if an infantry force were
added to his command he would strike out for [Lee’s] right and either crush it or force him so to weaken his intrenched
lines that the troops in front of them could break through and march into Petersburg.”
- Horace Porter
After crossing rough roads that wound through dense pine groves, Sheridan
finally reached Dinwiddie Court House at about 5:00 pm, as daylight faded. Sheridan’s men rested in an area where they
were able to watch both the Dinwiddie and Boydton Plank Road. Within minutes of their arrival, the skies opened. Thousands
of men camped in the fields had no tents or protection from the wind and rain.
At this time, Sheridan received updated orders to abandon the raid on the
railroads and instead cooperate with Union infantry to strike the Confederate right. At five pm on the 30th, every member
of Sheridan’s force took up their posts when the enemy advanced on them. Despite being pushed back, Sheridan’s
men eventually held their lines. Sheridan now fully intended to do what Grant expected him to do.
Confederate Perspective:
George Pickett’s force moved through muddy roads, wind and rain. By daybreak on March 30th, infantry
soldiers filed into a section of trenches along the White Oak Road, temporarily. Again, with updated orders, Pickett directed
the men out of the muddy trenches and towards Five Forks where they would meet up with Fitz Lee. As they made their way on
foot, enemy cavalrymen charged out of the fog and mist, firing at the column of marching soldiers with carbines and pistols.
Pickett finally made it to the Forks, where his army rested after almost twenty hours of continuous marching.
Fitz Lee reached Five Forks on the morning of the 30th and led two groups
of Confederate cavalry towards Dinwiddie Court House, where scouts had told him that Sheridan’s men were located. When
his group reached the area, they did not find any Union soldiers, so they went in search of them. This force of Confederate
cavalry pushed the Union soldiers back from the White Oak Road. While they had been able to push the smaller cavalry force
back and inflict some casualties in Sheridan’s command, but Pickett’s resources and options were now severely
limited.
Prelude to the Battle
Union Perspective:
Sheridan’s plan was to attack Pickett with cavalry supported by infantry.
After battling on the 31st,
Sheridan discovered that the Confederate forces were pulling out of their lines late that evening. His cavalry forces pursued
the Confederates, expecting Warren’s Infantry to assist him, but they were delayed. It would take most of the next day
for Sheridan to get all his forces together for the attack.
Confederate Perspective:
While Pickett had succeeded in pushing Sheridan back south towards Dinwiddie Court House on the 31st, he found
himself forced to fall back to Five Forks to protect his left flank and the roads leading to the South Side Railroad. Despite
ground gained, troops slowly made their way back to Five Forks, where the South Side Railroad lay only seven miles to the
rear.
The Battle of Five Forks
Union Perspective:
As we neared the Forks our forces also became hotly engaged, and the enemy, made desperate efforts to keep possession
of this key of his position. But his gallantry and desperation were soon seen to be futile, and not long after we opened fire
on his flank, the brave cavalrymen in his front were swarming over the earthworks in the teeth of his guns, some on horseback,
and some on foot."
- S.L. Gracey, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry
At 4:00 PM on April 1, 1865, Sheridan signaled the attack to begin. All
along the line, dismounted cavalrymen left their works and rushed the defenses at Five Forks firing their carbines. Pickett’s
left flank crumbed under the charge by Warren’s infantry corps and a brief hand to hand combat.
An Ohio trooper described General Custer’s actions when his flag bearer
fell and the flag hit the ground:
“Swinging down on the side of his horse, he caught up the flag, and
waving it over his head, stuck spurs to his horse and went over the works, the men following.”
In two short hours, the length of Pickett’s works was captured
by elated Union soldiers.
Confederate Perspective:
“We could see in the distance, McKenzie’s mounted men with their fluttering colors and their gleaming
sabers, and as we looked upon the yellow facing and trimmings to their blue coats, the hues of which were brought out by the
rays of the descending sun, they had the appearance of the “Avenging Cavalry,” but for us, they had been thrown
out of the fight by their infantry.”
- Munford
Pickett’s entire force did arrive at Five Forks until after mid-morning
on April 1st and he was reluctant to hold this crossroad with his average size force. Over the next three hours, his men added
to the breastworks and defenses. With this work done, Pickett joined Rosser and Fitz Lee for dinner around 2:00 that afternoon,
thinking that they had broken up the Union movement the day before, enough to delay an attack.
However, this was not the case, and Munford’s warning dispatches of
the Union advance never reached Fitz Lee or Pickett. Union forces overwhelmed the Confederate left and the crossroads. In
the last stages of the battle a cavalry engagement occurs as Gen. Fitz Lee's men repulsed several charges by Gen. Custer's
force. This stand allowed what remained of Pickett's command to escape. The collapse of the Confederate army was imminent.
Equip a Cavalry Soldier
“My men are ragged. Many have neither overcoats nor blankets, and numbers are obliged to shiver on picket,
clad in tattered remnants of Jacket and Pantalons.”
- Capt. Zimmerman Davis, 5th South Carolina Cavalry
Similar to the foot soldiers in the trenches of Petersburg, cavalry soldiers
suffered from the elements as well during the nearly ten month siege. While Union soldiers enjoyed a greater supply of equipment
and rations than their Confederate counterparts, both endured the heat of summer, the frost of winter, and the difficulty
of traveling through the mud bogged roads of spring. Particularly, as the major cavalry engagement unfolded in the last days
of the siege, proper equipment was critical to the mobility of cavalrymen to carry out their orders.
Imagine that you were a cavalry soldier who had received orders to march
nearly twenty miles to meet the enemy at a critical crossroads. What equipment did you need to have to prepare for such a
battle? Take a look and find out.
“The trooper has his carbine to care for and keep in order, which
evens him up with the infantryman in care of arms and equipments, and in addition to this he has his revolver, sabre, and
horse equipments to keep in order and his horse to water, feed and groom every day, and the soldier who enlists in the cavalry
service...will soon learn, to his sorrow, that he has been laboring under a grievous mistake."
- 1st Ohio Cavalry
Carbine
Carbines were well-suited to cavalry operations. They were shorter
and handier than rifles and weighed considerably less. Some models were breechloading repeaters which had a quick rate of
fire and were fairly accurate.
"In a close defensive fight, he found, no doubt, that carbines, well-handled,
are a merciless foe to face, and so reflecting, he paused and ceased firing; and when we were satisfied that he declined the
combat, we leaned on our arms and rested from the turmoil of this hard day."
Sabre
The cavalryman's sword, intended for mounted combat, was
the saber. Sabers were issued to cavalrymen usually with blunt blades, though many ingenious soldiers quickly learned to sharpen
them for greater advantage. This weapon, however, was not widely used since cavalrymen rarely found themselves fighting in
such close contact with the enemy.
These cavalry fights are miserable affairs. Neither party has any idea of
serious charging with the sabre. They approach one another with considerable boldness, until they get to within about forty
yards, and then, at the very moment when a dash is necessary, and the sword alone should be used, they hesitate, halt, and
commence a desultory fire with carbines and revolvers."
Uniform
The
shell jacket and trousers of a cavalry soldier were similar to that of an infantry. They were made of wool, and both the jacket
and pants were trimmed in yellow piping that identified that soldier as a cavalryman.
"The sergeant charged the pants to my account and then handed me a jacket,
a small one, evidently made for a humped-backed dwarf. The jacket was covered with yellow braid. O, so yellow that it made
me sick. The jacket was charged to me also."
- Wisconsin Volunteer
Boots
Because
a cavalryman’s duty was to travel on horseback, he was furnished with tall boots that reached just above the knee.
“A pair of good boots is something we can't get along without...Uncle
Sam doesn't furnish us anything but shoes to wear in the winter. The shoes are very good ones to wear in the summer ..."
-
William Margraff, 6th Pennsylvania Reserves
Revolver
The
revolver was a popular weapon among cavalrymen in the Civil War. They fired paper wrapped cartridges, using copper percussion
caps to ignite the charge. The revolver, though valued for a quick firing rate, was not always a dependable weapon. They were
accurate only at very short range which meant they were useful only in close actions.
“The revolver was by far the more popular weapon among cavalrymen.
Revolvers were accurate at very short range however, so they were only useful in close actions. Such close actions were not
very common in mounted combat. As the war progressed, cavalrymen become more successful at cavalry raids and scouting exercises."
-
S.L. Gracey, Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry
Saddle
The saddle was the most important piece of horse furniture.
This type of saddle, the McLellan, was the regulation U.S. cavalry saddle throughout the Civil War. This saddle was issued
with its seat open and covered solely with rawhide. A blanket was placed under the saddle for the comfort of the rider. The
Confederate cavalry used a similar design.
"The horses were assigned to the men by the company officers. Our saddles
were being made in Monroeville, and very naturally the men were taking a lively interest in that part of the work and in watching
its progress, and we began to realize something in regard to the immense amount of material required to fit out a cavalry
regiment."
- Thomas Croft, Third Ohio Cavalry
Grant versus Lee
Through the fall and winter of 1864 and 65, Grant simultaneously engaged
Lee’s army at the Confederate capital in Richmond twenty-five miles south in Petersburg. Grant knew that by deploying
his larger army in different directions, he would eventually thin Lee’s ranks and weaken the Confederate lines defending
these two cities. By late March 1864, Grant’s army was achieving this objective. The opportunity for the Union army
to capture the last major supply route into Petersburg, the South Side Railroad would finally come on April 1, 1865. In a
marked victory by Union forces under Sheridan, Confederate forces were caught completely off guard, and the Union army opened
the way to the South Side Railroad. This marked the beginning of the end for the Confederate army.
Explore the military movements and decision-making skills of two great generals,
as Grant’s army engaged Lee’s forces at a country crossroads in Dinwiddie County. Read their correspondence referencing
this military action.
[Grant]
March 30, 1865
Maj. Gen. Meade
[Union forces] met the enemy’s Cavalry at J. Boisseaus and drove him
on the right and left roads and pushed on himself, driving the enemy, and now occupies the White Oak road at Five Forks, and
also where the righthand branch intersects it. [Union forces] lost 150 men wounded.
U.S. Grant
[Lee]
March 30, 1865
Sec. Of War
The enemy still maintains his position West of Hatcher’s Run, occupying
Dinwiddie CH with Sheridan’s Cavalry. Skirmishing was frequent along the lines today, but not serious attack . . . Part
of [Union force] . . . attacked Genl. Fitz Lee twice this morning at Five Forks, but was repulsed.
R.E. Lee
[Grant]
March 31, 1865
Lincoln at City Point
Our troops after being driven back on to the Boydton Plank Road turned &
drove the Enemy in turn & took the White Oak Road which we now have. This gives us the ground occupied by the Enemy this
morning. I will send you a rebel flag captured by Our troops in driving the Enemy back.
U.S. Grant
[Lee]
March 31, 1865
Secretary of War
Finding this morning that the enemy was extending his left to embrace the
White Oak Road, [Confederate forces] placed three Brigades in position to repel him. . . the enemy advanced and was finally
met by our troops and driven back with loss to his position near the Boydton Plank Road. Our troops were then withdrawn, and
were followed by the enemy, who in turn drove us back to our lines.
R. E. Lee
[Grant]
April 1, 1865
Maj.
Gen. Meade
[A Union force] is now on White Oak Road where the right branch from J.
Boisseau’s intersects it. Sheridan with his Cavalry and the 5th Corps are about assaulting at the Five Forks and feel
no doubt of succeeding in carrying it ...
Later that day:
Sheridan has captured every thing before him.
Still Later:
With [a Union] Division and what he already has I think
Sheridan could hold all of Lee’s Army that could be got against him until we could get up.
U.S. Grant
[Lee]
April 1, 1865
Pres. Jeff Davis
The movement of Gen. Grant to Dinwiddie C.H. seriously threatens our position,
and diminishes our ability to maintain our present lines in front of Richmond and Petersburg. In the first place, it cuts
us off from our depot at Stony Creek. . . It also renders it more difficult to withdraw from our position, cuts us off from
White Oak Road and gives the enemy an advantageous point on our right and rear. . . This in my opinion obliged us to prepare
for the necessity of evacuating our position on the James River at once, and also to consider the best means of accomplishing
it, and our future course.
R. E. Lee
[Grant]
April 1, 1865
Maj. Gen. Sheridan
An attack is ordered for 4 a.m. in the morning at three points on the Petersburg front, one by the 9th Corps between
the Appomattox and Jerusalem P. road; one West of the Weldon road and the third between that and Hatcher’s run . . .
from your isolated position I can give you no specific directions but leave you to act according to circumstances. I would
like you however to get something down to the S.S. road even if they do not tear up a mile of it.
U.S. Grant
[Lee]
April 2, 1865
Sec. of War
I see no prospect of doing more than holding our position here till night. I am not certain that I can do that. If
I can I shall withdraw tonight north of the Appomattox, and if possible it will be better to withdraw the whole line tonight
from James River. . . .Enemy have broken through our lines and intercepted between us and them, and there is no bridge over
which they can cross the Appomattox this side. . . I advise that all preparation be made for leaving Richmond tonight. I will
advise you later, according to circumstances.
R.E. Lee
[Grant]
April 2, 1865
Maj. Gen. Meade
There is more necessity for care on the part of Parke than either of the others or our Corps Commanders. As I understand
it he is attacking the main line of works around Petersburg whilst the others are only attacking an outer line which the enemy
might give up without giving up Petersburg. Park should either advance rapidly or cover his men and hold all he gets.
U.S.
Grant
[Lee]
April 2, 1865
Jefferson Davis
I think it is absolutely necessary that we should abandon our position tonight. I have given all the necessary orders
on the subject to the troops, and the operation, though difficult, I hope will be performed successfully. I have directed
[Union General] to your Excellency to explain the routes by which the troops will be moved to Amelia Court House, and furnish
you with a guide and any assistance that you may require for yourself.
R. E. Lee
[Grant]
April 2, 1865
Maj. Gen. Meade
I have just heard from Sheridan. Lee himself escaped up the river. Sheridan thinks
that all of the rebel army that was outside the works immediately around the City are trying to make their escape out that
way. He is making dispositions to cut them off if he can.
U.S. Grant
Lee's only hope of preventing the capture of Petersburg and the destruction of his army lay in holding a defensive line
at two posts, Fort Gregg and Fort Whitworth held by a few hundred men. On April 2nd, Union soldiers attacked Fort Gregg, and
though the Confederate forces suffered tremendous losses, they were able to hold off the Union attack. Their actions provided
Lee enough time to see that the Confederate army evacuated the city in an orderly fashion later that night. The nine-and-half
month siege had finally come to an end.
Meade, Grant, and Lincoln all visited Petersburg on April 3. At midday Meade and Grant rode off to the west to organize
the pursuit of Lee's retreating army. One week following the Union army's capture of Petersburg and Richmond, General Grant's
army would finally meet Lee's army at Appomattox Court House. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865.
Not long after this, America's Civil War would finally end.
Park Rangers
At the Battle of Five Forks, Union forces finally achieved their objective of cutting off Confederate
supply routes and wearing down Lee’s army. Union forces finally broke through Confederate lines to access the last remaining
supply route, the South Side Railroad. Confederate forces were forced to withdraw from their lines that stretched for miles
around the city of Petersburg and through the Western Front. Today, park rangers protect this intersection of five country
roads, telling visitors the importance of this site, not only to the siege of Petersburg, but to the reuniting of a nation.
While it is rural in character, park rangers face many to maintain this site.
Crossroads: Cultural Landscape
The landscape of Five Forks Battlefield looks quite different today than it
did on April 1, 1865, when Union forces defeated Confederate forces at this country crossroads. A Union general named Warren
was court-marshaled in 1866 for his actions at this battle and as a result, there is a record of very detailed drawings of
the landscape. The Park Service can use these drawings to determine exactly what the landscape of this site looked like in
1865, including crops, forests, and open fields and how to manage this site.
Maintenance Ranger
As a maintenance ranger at Five Forks Battlefield, I work daily to care for the cultural landscape of this site. I cut
grass, trim hedges, and keep the grounds clean and well-maintained. I also perform daily maintenance of the buildings, keeping
these areas clean and safe for visitors. I also do preventative maintenance by reporting to park management any major problems
with both the grounds and the buildings. While many projects to maintain this landscape are done by my division, some may
be contracted to specialists outside of the Park Service. Therefore, I also write the specifications that contractors must
follow when they work on the grounds.
Interpreter
I am an interpretive ranger at Five Forks Battlefield. It is my job to help visitors understand and connect to the park’s
resources. This site is located miles from other park sites; therefore there is not a heavy flow of visitors here. I provide
tours of this site as visitors come to this site, walking the grounds and answering questions about the battle. I participate
in management decisions for future projects for this site, by deciding what stories should be told and how to most effectively
tell these stories using the grounds and buildings. These two factors are taken into account, when decisions are made about
managing this cultural landscape.
Protection Ranger
I am a Protection Ranger at Five Forks Battlefield. My job is to patrol the park, including this site that is twenty-five
miles from the park’s headquarters. I daily monitor this area to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable visit
while also taking proper care of the park’s resources. Routine patrols of this area ensure that the site is managed
properly.
Resource Manager
I am a Resource Manager at Five Forks Battlefield. My main job is to assist with the planning and development of reports
that direct how we should take care of the park’s landscape. With the assistance of the maintenance division, I monitor
this site to see that buildings and grounds are in good condition. Because the park has such detailed records of the appearance
of this site in 1865, I coordinate projects that will eventually return the landscape of this area to how it looked during
the Civil War. These projects can include moving buildings off the battlefield, planting trees where they were once located
or cutting down trees that stand in areas that were once open fields.
Visitor Center: Visitor Facilities
Maintenance Ranger
I am a maintenance ranger at Petersburg National Battlefield. I take care of the Visitor Facilities at Five Forks Battlefield,
which consists of a small visitor center area and staff office. Keeping this building in good condition for visitors requires
such tasks as painting, cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming. While many projects on this structure are done by my division, some
of these projects are contracted to specialists outside of the Park Service. Therefore, I also write the specifications that
contractors must follow when they work on this building.
Interpreter
I am an interpretive ranger at Five Forks Battlefield. On a daily basis, I operate the visitor center and walk the grounds
with visitors to answer any questions. I also assist in planning how this site can be better maintained for future visitor
experiences. This site is relatively new, so I work with management, providing suggestions on what type of visitor facilities
are needed here, including buildings, restrooms, and walking trails. Finally, I create brochures and educational materials
that help people location learn more about this historic site.
Protection Ranger
I am a Protection Ranger Five Forks Battlefield. My job is to patrol this site to ensure that visitors have a safe and
enjoyable visit while also taking proper care of the park’s resources. I work with contractors to maintain the alarm
systems in park buildings, including the Visitor Center at Five Forks; therefore it is my duty to answer any alarm calls to
ensure that the Visitor Facilities are protected from any possible damage.
Resource Manager
I am a Resource Manager at Five Forks Battlefield. My main job is to assist with the planning and development of reports
that direct how we should take care of the park’s landscape, including the Visitor Facilities. With the assistance of
the maintenance division, I monitor this site to see that buildings and grounds are in good condition. Using information such
as past management decisions, current issues and problems at the site, and future public programs that the park wants to develop,
I provide direction for offering better visitor facilities at Five Forks.
