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Battles -
Battle Summaries
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| Battle Name: |
Crater |
| Other Names: |
The Mine |
| State: |
Virginia |
| Location: |
Petersburg |
| Campaign: |
Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865) |
| Dates: |
July 30, 1864 |
| Principal Commanders: |
Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS] |
| Forces Engaged: |
IX Corps [US]; elements of the Army of Northern Virginia [CS] |
| Estimated Casualties: |
5,300 total |
| Description: |
After weeks of preparation, on July 30 the Federals exploded a mine in Burnside’s IX Corps sector
beneath Pegram’s Salient, blowing a gap in the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. From this propitious
beginning, everything deteriorated rapidly for the Union attackers. Unit after unit charged into and around the
crater, where soldiers milled in confusion. The Confederates quickly recovered and launched several
counterattacks led by Maj. Gen. William Mahone. The break was sealed off, and the Federals were repulsed
with severe casualties. Ferrarro’s division of black soldiers was badly mauled. This may have been Grant’s best
chance to end the Siege of Petersburg. Instead, the soldiers settled in for another eight months of trench warfare.
Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside was relieved of command for his role in the debacle. |
| Results: |
Confederate victory |
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