Civil War Winter Camp, 1861, Petersburg Virginia, 13th New York

Witness a remarkable group photo captured during the winter's camp of the 13th New York in the vicinity of Petersburg, Virginia around 1861. Led by the skilled command of Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, these forces launched an unsuccessful assault on Petersburg before constructing extensive trench lines that spanned over 30 miles (48 km). These lines stretched from the eastern outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, to the eastern and southern perimeters of Petersburg, showcasing the strategic importance of the latter in supplying Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's army and Richmond, the Confederate capital. The relentless pursuit to sever the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad led to numerous raids and battles, ultimately leading to the expansion of the trench lines.