National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service: U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
 
 
Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Petersburg National BattlefieldIllustration of Union soldiers advancing on Ft. Stedman
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Petersburg National Battlefield
The Crater
 

Prelude

July 29, 1864

After the initial attacks on Petersburg by Union forces ended on June 18, a portion of the IX Corps picket line, built under fire, was established only four hundred feet from Elliot's Salient, part of the main Confederate line. The Federals decided to construct and explode a mine underneath the salient in an attempt to surprise and overwhelm the Confederates and seize the heights above Petersburg and thereby shorten the siege.


5:00 am

The Crater - 5:00 am

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After several weeks of preparation the mine was exploded on July 30 at 4:45am. The Union sent unit after unit into the 200 foot-wide gap created in the Confederate line.The poorly-led Federal soldiers end up heading into the crater and not around it as planned.

Next
Confederate Railroads in Virginia  

Did You Know?
Petersburg, Virginia was linked to Wilmington, North Carolina by the Petersburg and Weldon Railroad. Wilmington was the Confederacy's chief destination for Confederate blockade runners loaded with European goods and supplies for citizens and soldiers alike. (Petersburg National Battlefield)

Disclaimer Accessibility Privacy Policy FOIA Notices USA.gov

Last Updated: October 07, 2007 at 14:45 EST