Petersburg

Petersburg (pop. 41,055), city in southeastern Virginia, on the Appomattox River. The city was burned by British troops (1781) under Benedict Arnold during the American Revolution. During the Civil War it was the scene of major battles (1864–65) between the armies of Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Lee surrendered at the Appomattox courthouse. Today the city is noted for tobacco manufacturing as well as the often-visited National Battlefield (established 1926).

See also: Virginia.