Description
The Battle of Petersburg, 1781
During this program, you will learn about the Battle of Petersburg from historian William Welsch. There will be a visit by Benedict Arnold to give his insight and answer questions.
In April of 1781, British forces under the command of Major General William Phillips, accompanied by Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, landed at City Point (present-day Hopewell) and began their march toward Petersburg.
On April 25, Virginia militia forces—numbering about 1,000 men—met the advancing British army of approximately 2,500 soldiers just east of Blandford. The militia were led by Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a seasoned officer of the Continental Army known for training American troops at Valley Forge.
Although heavily outnumbered, the Virginia militia mounted a determined defense, holding their ground for nearly three hours. Recognizing the danger of being overwhelmed, von Steuben ordered a strategic withdrawal across the Pocahontas Bridge to the high ground beyond the Appomattox River, in what is now Colonial Heights. His goal was to regroup and unite with the forces of Major General the Marquis de Lafayette, who was maneuvering against British troops in Virginia.
Shortly after the battle, Major General William Phillips fell ill and died at a residence known as Bollingbrook, located near the site of today’s YMCA. Following Phillips’s death, Benedict Arnold ordered that he be buried in the churchyard of Blandford Church. The burial took place under cover of darkness, and no headstone or marker was placed, leaving the exact location of his grave unknown.
Date & Time
Fri, Apr 17, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Venue Details
Blandford Church
111 Rochelle LnPetersburg, Virginia 23803
