Wartime Hand Drawn Map of the Positions of the Signal Detachment of the 10th Army Corps during the Petersburg Campaign

Wartime Hand Drawn Map of the Positions of the Signal Detachment of the 10^th Army Corps during the Petersburg Campaign – This superbly drawn, highly accurate map, executed in black and blue ink (has oxidized to a reddish blue), during the Petersburg Campaign, depicts various positions of the Signal Detachment of the 10^th Army Corps. The map was drawn on a polished cotton or linen for durability in the field. Written at the top of the rectangular shaped map is the following:

“Operations of the Signal Detachment 10^th Army Corps.”

There are many significant troop positions, fortifications, generals’ headquarters, camps, river activity (James and Appomattox Rivers), as well as topographic features, railroad lines (showing the significance of Petersburg as a Confederate supply nexus with five lines coming into the city), as well as Signal Detachment positions, all of which are annotated in oxidized blue ink. Just outside the bottom border of the map, the following is written in black ink:

“Blue Line = Varying Line of Sig: Com: on return from Swift Creek with Rear Guard.”

The dates recorded on the map of May and June indicate that the map was executed at the onset of the Petersburg Campaign. This map seemingly was utilized during the Siege of Petersburg, as it has a pinhole at each corner, likely indicative of the map having been posted in a commanding officer’s tent. War period, hand created maps like this one are rarely offered; we have had only one other. The linen and cartographic features, as well as the troop positions and additional elements depicted on the map, all remain in excellent condition.

Measurements; Height – 11.5”; Width – 7.5”