Nicholas
The Third Battle of Petersburg was the last major battle of the Civil war on April 2, 1865. After years of battles fought by outnumbered Confederate armies, the Fall of Petersburg was the breaking point. Once again, Union soldiers outnumbered the Confederacy more than 3-to-1 with 63,000 engaged compared to Lee’s 20,000 men. Several pivotal battles ensued over the course of a 292-day campaign leading up to this moment that would be the final major battle of the war. Confederate forces held up in Petersburg were stretched too thin to continue the fight and suffered more than 5,000 casualties. Union casualties amounted to 3,936 men. Eventually, retreats and a few small battles lead to the final surrender by Robert E. Lee one week later.
