Home / Black Coffee Mugs / Petersburg, Va. View From Breastworks Of Fort Sedgwick (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug
  • Black and white view of earthworks with rows of sharpened timber stakes angled across embankments under a pale sky.
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Petersburg, Va. View From Breastworks Of Fort Sedgwick (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Petersburg, Va. View From Breastworks Of Fort Sedgwick (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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$17.99 USD
$17.99 USD
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Petersburg, Va. View From Breastworks Of Fort Sedgwick (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This black-and-white glass-plate photograph shows the earthworks of Fort Sedgwick, the Union position that soldiers nicknamed "Fort Hell" during the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia, between June 1864 and April 1865.

Visual Elements & Composition

Greyscale tones dominate the scene, with mid-grey earth filling most of the frame, pale grey sky and plain above it, and deep black shadows cut into the trench. Earthen embankments and ditches run through the picture, and diagonal rows of sharpened timber stakes angle across the foreground, giving the image a strong, repeating pattern. A sparse pine treeline sits along the flat horizon, so the open ground feels exposed and unsheltered.

Meaning & Symbolism

The breastworks are a record of trench warfare in its rawest form, built from earth, timber and sandbags by men who lived under near-constant Confederate artillery fire. Protection from bombardment mattered as much as attack here, which marks the shift toward modern siege tactics. The Petersburg campaign was a strategic precursor to the trench warfare that would later define the First World War, and this photograph documents the endurance it demanded in one of the most static and intense periods of the Civil War.

Tell the Story Over Your Morning Brew

A mug is turned slowly in the hand and read at close range, so the stakes and embankments wrap around the cup as you lift it to your lips. The black ground makes the greyscale detail stand out clearly, and the diagonal stakes follow the curve of the handle, giving this piece of history a quiet, daily presence. It makes a thoughtful gift for a history lover who likes their coffee with a story.

Size

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Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.

These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.

They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.

  • Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
  • Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
  • Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
  • Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
  • Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.

These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.

Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.

These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.

Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.

Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.

Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz 15 oz
Height (in) 3.86 4.72
Diameter (in) 3.35 3.35
Diameter with handle (in) 4.72 5.12

Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.