5The wide-ranging and largely misunderstood series of operations around Petersburg, Virginia, were the longest and most extensive of the entire Civil War. The fighting that began in early June 1864 when advance elements from the Union Army of the Potomac crossed the James River and botched a series of attacks against a thinly defended city would not end for nine long months. This important--many would say decisive--fighting is presented by legendary Civil War author Edwin C. Bearss in The Petersburg Campaign: The Eastern Front Battles, June-August 1864, the first in a ground-breaking two-volume compendium now available in paperback.

Although commonly referred to as the "Siege of Petersburg," that city (as well as the Confederate capital at Richmond) was never fully isolated and the combat involved much more than static trench warfare. In fact, much of the wide-ranging fighting involved large-scale Union offensives designed to cut important roads and the five rail lines feeding Petersburg and Richmond. This volume of Bearss' study of these major battles includes:

- The Attack on Petersburg (June 9, 1864)
- The Second Assault on Petersburg (June 15 - 18, 1864)
- The Battle of the Jerusalem Plank Road (June 21 - 24, 1864)
- The Crater (July 30, 1864)
- The Battle of the Weldon Railroad (August 18 - 21, 1864)
- The Second Battle of Ream's Station (August 25, 1864)

Accompanying these salient chapters are original maps by Civil War cartographer George Skoch, together with photos and illustrations. The result is a richer and deeper understanding of the major military episodes comprising the Petersburg Campaign.