Battle Detail Return to Results Crater OTHER NAME: The Mine CAMPAIGN: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign DATE(S): June-December 1864 PRINCIPAL COMMANDERS: Major General Ambrose Burnside [US] Major General Robert Lee [CS] FORCES ENGAGED: 0 total (US 0; CS 0;) ESTIMATED CASUALTIES: 5289 total (US 3798; CS 1491;) 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 CWSAC REFERENCE #: VA070 PRESERVATION PRIORITY: ADDITIONAL LINKS: Find Related Battle Units » https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battles-detail.htm?battleCode=va070

Henry A Nelson