Preserving 150 years of history in Petersburg

Virginia is a state where history can be found wherever you look. This is especially true in Petersburg, where the 1864 Siege of Petersburg left its mark on the Commonwealth and the nation. The siege went on for 292 days, bringing multiple changes of fortune for the Union and Confederacy over 108 separate battles and engagements. The Union's eventual victory at Petersburg paved the way for the surrender at Appomattox Court House. The fighting around Petersburg and Richmond was also significant for the contributions of as many as 16,000 African Americans, the largest corps of the U.S. Colored Troops. Fifteen of the sixteen Medals of Honor awarded to the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War were awarded for service in the battles around this region.

We have introduced legislation that would protect these historic lands by authorizing the National Park Service to add up to 7,238 acres over 12 parcels of land to Petersburg National Battlefield. The land identified for inclusion was the site of 18 major battles during the Civil War and is in danger of being lost to development. These sites are not currently protected within the National Battlefield and have been identified by the Civil War Trust as one of the most endangered group of historic battlefields in the country.

Virginia prides itself as a state that is good for business and Civil War tourism is a thriving source of economic activity. A Virginia Tourism Corporation study found that Civil War tourists stay twice as long and spend twice as much money as typical tourists. According to the latest data from the National Parks Conservation Association, more than 190,000 people visit Petersburg Battlefield annually, spending $10.5 million and supporting 150 local jobs.

This is a bipartisan effort that was championed by former Sen. Jim Webb and is being sponsored in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Bobby Scott and Randy Forbes. Although progress toward passage has been slow, we saw an important step this week as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee began considering the bill. We will continue calling on our colleagues from both sides of the aisle to join us in supporting the protection of these historic lands.

This Wednesday marks 150 years since the Battle of the Crater, one of the most significant and unusual battles of the Petersburg campaign, in which Union troops tunneled underneath the Confederate lines and set off an explosive that created a 30-foot deep crater. This anniversary provides yet another reminder of Petersburg National Battlefield's significance.

It's up to all of us to ensure that the historic deeds done in and around Petersburg are fully commemorated for generations to come.

###