Theft at Petersburg National Battlefield

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Historic Railings Stolen From Civil War Monument in Petersburg

On May 10 it was discovered that a person or persons had driven away with 22 historic railings which surrounded the Pennsylvania Monument on Wakefield Street in Petersburg. The railings, made of bronze, measure seven to eight feet in length and three to four inches in diameter.

Of all the monuments in this historic city, the Pennsylvania Monument was the only one to be dedicated in the presence of a United States President, William Howard Taft. On May 19, 1909 President Taft attended the dedication ceremony along with veterans of Pennsylvania regiments who fought in the Battle of Fort Stedman on March 25, 1865 as well as the assault on Confederate Fort Mahone on April 2, 1865. The Pennsylvania veterans, who were members of the Third Division of the Ninth Corps, were escorted by the local chapter of the United Confederate Veterans, namely the A.P. Hill Camp.

A $500 reward is being offered to anyone who offers information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s). Anyone who has any knowledge or information regarding this theft is requested to call the Ranger Station at Petersburg National Battlefield at (804) 732-3966 or Park Ranger Richard Hotchkiss at (804) 691-4786. Information can also be submitted to the Petersburg Police Department at (804) 732-4222.

Petersburg National Battlefield was created in order to commemorate the campaign and siege and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865. The park staff is committed to preserving and protecting the historical, cultural, and natural resources within the park in a manner that will provide interpretation, education, and enjoyment for the visitors.

[DougCooper]

Re: Theft at Petersburg National Battlefield

Good grief - folks will do anything to get bulk copper to sell - even melting down bronze railings, bronze plaques, etc.

That monument is in the middle of a light commercial zone with buildings that could hide the thieves from the road and are not occupied at night I assume. Check it out on Google Earth or Mapquest. What do we need to do? Hire guards for monuments?

Any damage to the monument itself?

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Theft at Petersburg National Battlefield

08/24/2007
Theft of historic rails still a mystery
BY T. DEVON ROBINSON
STAFF WRITER


PETERSBURG — There are still no major leads in the disappearance of 22 historic bronze railings from the Pennsylvania Monument on Wakefield Street.

The railings, which were each about 7 to 8 feet long and about 3 to 4 inches in diameter, disappeared in early May.

On May 19, 1909, President William Howard Taft attended the dedication ceremony of the monument along with veterans of Pennsylvania regiments who fought in the Battle of Fort Stedman on March 25, 1865.

The Pennsylvania Monument was the only one to be dedicated in the presence of a Unites States president.

A proposal to replace the railings has been placed on a five-year plan for the National Parks Service, said Dave Shockley, chief of resource management of the Petersburg National Battlefield. Shockley said that it was unknown when funding for a project to replace the railings would be available.

“It’s up to the Washington office,” he said.

The estimated cost to replace the railings is about $237,000. This price also includes enhanced lighting at the monument to help deter further vandalism as well as road improvements.

“It’s a combination of the Parks Service, the city and the state,” Shockley said.

Currently, there are temporary barricades placed around the monument to protect it from further collisions with automobiles. Before the railings were stolen, a car had collided with the railings, causing $17,000 in damage to a few railings and granite pillars.

A $500 reward is being offered to anyone who offers information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators.

Anyone with any knowledge or information regarding this theft is requested to call the Ranger Station at Petersburg National Battlefield at 732-3966 or National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger Richard Hotchkiss at 691-4786. Information can also be submitted to the Petersburg Police Department at 732-4222.

• T. DeVon Robinson may be reached at 722-5160 or at trobinson@progress-index.com.

Online at: http://www.progress-index.com/site/n...d=462946&rfi=6

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Editorial about the railings stolen from PA monument

09/12/2007
Stealing our past and our future


This is a theft of property that really hurts the region.

Granted, it is the theft of property; no one was injured or killed. And for that we are grateful.

But the crime involves stealing and vandalizing a historic landmark and involves more than $200,000. That is no small crime.

In early May, 22 historic bronze railings were stolen from the Pennsylvania Monument on Wakefield Street.

It took some work to haul off the railings, which were each about 7 to 8 feet long and about 3 to 4 inches in diameter.

On May 19, 1909, President William Howard Taft attended the dedication ceremony of the monument along with veterans of Pennsylvania regiments who fought in the Battle of Fort Stedman on March 25, 1865. The Pennsylvania Monument was the only one to be dedicated in the presence of a Unites States president.

The estimated cost to replace the railings is about $237,000. This price also includes enhanced lighting at the monument to help deter further vandalism as well as road improvements.

It's unclear, when, or if, the railing will be replaced. The railings are on

a five-year plan for the National Parks Service. It is unknown when funding the railings will be available.

National Park Service Law Enforcement rangers believe the railings were probably stolen because the could be sold for scrap. Currently, the scrap prices for copper and bronze is high leading to thieves stealing anyplace that has the metal, including gutters of historic homes.

"This is probably one of the worst acts of vandalism we've had at the Petersburg National Battlefield," said National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger Richard Hotchkiss.

A $500 reward is being offered to anyone who offers information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators. Anyone with any knowledge or information on the theft can call the Ranger Station at Petersburg National Battlefield at 732-3966. Information can also be submitted to the Petersburg Police Department at 732-4222.

Whoever stole these railings stole more than scrap metal. They stole a piece of history that belongs to all of us.

They stole not only our past, but a piece of our future.

It is probable that historical tourism will become a key economic engine for the region. And by destroying a piece of the area's historic quilt, they are robbing us all of a brighter economic future.

And finally, the thieves have robbed us of our image. This act just helps feed the perception that crime is a big problem in Petersburg, even though statistically its not. And that perception, fair or not, again injures our ability to attract visitors.

For these reasons, those who stole the railings - if caught - should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.


©The Progress-Index 2007

Online at: http://www.progress-index.com/site/n...d=462943&rfi=6

[Jim Mayo]

Re: Theft at Petersburg National Battlefield

Did authorities check the local salvage metal dealers (or the steel mill) immediately after the theft?

We have similar problems where I work and recently recovered some expensive ship valves at one of the local scrap yards before they could be melted down. They also caught the guys that did it.

[cpinkhaminsc]

Re: Theft at Petersburg National Battlefield

Makes you want to puke. You know Homey G fenced it at a scrap yard ASAP, it's gone for good. Oh I'd love to catch the SOB and buck and gag them!
Charles Pinkham
Company D, Minnesota First

[Gary of CA]

Re: Theft at Petersburg National Battlefield

Yep, metal scavengers. Dirty scoundrels who stole it should be sentenced to community service. As cpinkhaminsc suggested, buck 'n gag would be an excellent demonstration of Civil War punishments.