Back in May 1964, the Petersburg Progress-Index launched a lengthy series of Civil War centennial articles focusing on the war as it approached, engulfed, and then left Petersburg, Virginia over a period of nearly eleven months. Through the forty-one articles, the Progress-Index explored not only the battles, but also various other aspects of the Siege of Petersburg, including but not limited to hospitals, (lack of) supplies, the origins of Memorial Day, the railroads, and the citizens’ experience during the campaign.
I found it interesting and somewhat amusing that the paper several times assumed an apologetic tone for even presenting this series to the citizens of Petersburg, interjecting at one point:
“[In a previous article] we referred to Petersburg’s profound boredom with such matters and entered an apology for treating of them. But notice should be taken of something which after all is the thing about Petersburg of which the world is aware and is also considerably interested. Centennial observances by their nature occur only at intervals of a hundred years, so we really should take some notice of this one. Persons who find such articles as the following ridiculous or boring will need no prompting from us to ignore these contributions to the cause.”
The editor later stated he was “aware that some people view all such matters with a boredom so massive and profound that it commands respect and admiration. But we are aware also that this is the thing about Petersburg which has made an impression upon world history and upon the world’s consciousness.”
In any case, I’m glad the Progress-Index did not cave to any mailed unpleasantries and kept going for almost a year. I’m happy to announce that, starting today, and going for the next forty-one Fridays, you’ll be able to follow along and relive the Siege of Petersburg from a Centennial era viewpoint. Links to all of the articles will be listed below and at the bottom of each individual article.
***
The Petersburg Progress-Index Siege of Petersburg Centennial Series, 1964-65:
- NP: May 6, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 1: When Butler Came Along
- NP: May 10, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 2: Enter Now The Great Creole
- NP: May 15, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 3: Clearing the Road to Richmond
- NP: May 22, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 4: Why Grant Visited Petersburg
- NP: May 29, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 5: Milestones On The Road To Reunion
- NP: June 3, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 6: An Industrial Center To Boot
- NP: June 9, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 7: Thermopylae At Petersburg
- NP: June 14, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 8: Bridging The James River
- NP: June 15, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 9: Not “Like A Rotten Branch”
- NP: June 16, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 10: Setting A Stage At Petersburg
- NP: June 17, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 11: The Fiercest Day Of All
- NP: June 18, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 12: From Shooting to Digging
- NP: June 19, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 13: Not As Bright As It Appeared
- NP: June 22, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 14: An Extension On The Left
- NP: June 23, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 15: The Most Sweeping Raid Of All
- NP: June 24, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 16: For Variety—A Defeat
- NP: June 25, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 17: Mines And Countermines
- NP: June 30, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 18: The Shelling of Petersburg
- NP: July 3, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 19: Petersburg, July 4, 1864
- NP: July 12, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 20: Unsatisfactory To All Concerned
- NP: July 19, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 21: Two Memorable Petersburg Spectacles
- NP: July 30, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 22: The Battle Of The Crater
- NP: July 31, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 23: Aftermath Of The Crater
- NP: August 9, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 24: Sabotage At City Point
- NP: August 17, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 25: A Vital Rail Loss
- NP: August 25, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 26: The Second Battle Of Reams Station
- NP: September 6, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 27: A City of Hospitals
- NP: September 14, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 28: Hampton’s Great Cattle Raid
- NP: September 27, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 29: When Endurance Was Heroic
- NP: September 30, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 30: Inching Toward Victory
- NP: October 11, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 31: “Busiest Place In The United States”
- NP: October 28, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 32: “The Inequality Is Too Great”
- NP: November 18, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 33: Railroad With A Purpose
- NP: December 7, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 34: A Raid Down The Railroad
- NP: December 28, 1964 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 35: Christmas At Petersburg, 1864
- NP: February 5, 1965 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 36: Another Battle, Another Warning
- NP: March 24, 1965 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 37: Toward the Denouement
- NP: March 25, 1965 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 38: The Last Grand Offensive
- NP: April 1, 1965 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 39: Five Forks: Signal For Evacuation
- NP: April 2, 1965 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 40: The Evacuation Of Petersburg
- NP: April 4, 1965 Petersburg Progress-Index: Siege Centennial, Part 41: A Postscript – The Occupation