The Battle of the Crater, July 30, 1864, has gone into the history books as “a stupendous failure.” The Union army suffered four thousand casualties, and wasted a spectacular opportunity to capture Petersburg and end the war before Christmas. I may earn a commission from the companies mentioned in this post via affiliate links to products or services associated with content in this article. The break was sealed off, and the Federals were repulsed with severe casualties. Third Divison commanded by Brigadier General Orlando B. Willcox 4. Though both men were skeptical about its chances for success, they approved it with the thought that it would keep the men busy during the siege. The break was sealed off, and the Federals were repulsed with severe casualties. He protested the order still believing his troops could take the crest. Observing that the closest Confederate fortification, Elliott's Salient, was a mere 400 feet from their position, the men of the 48th conjectured that a mine could be run from their lines under the enemy earthworks. General Bates left service after Reconstruction. Gaining the slopes of crater, Mahone's men compelled the Union troops below to flee back to their own lines. Burnside planned to pass his leading division through the gap created by the explosion and then have his troops turn north and south, respectively, to widen the breach and clear the way. General Burnside was the commander of the Ninth Corps in the Army of the Potomac. Attacking late in the day with the XVIII, II, and IX Corps, Grant's men gradually pushed the Confederates back. He failed, however, to capture the important railhead at Petersburg. In March 1864, President Abraham Lincoln elevated Ulysses S. Grant to lieutenant general and gave him overall command of Union forces. On the day before the assault, however, General George G. Meade ordered Burnside to select a white unit instead, fearing the public image of sacrificing colored troops on what was certain to be a forlorn hope. Encyclopedia Virginia - Battle of the Crater. The men refused to leave the protection of the crater. It took another ten minutes before they reached the crater. The way was now clear for Union troops to pour into Petersburg, but the first soldiers to enter the crater decided it was a good place to dig a rifle pit, and stayed put. He was the very first person to enter the crater after the “turkey shoot”. Losses: Confederate, 361 dead, 727 wounded, 403 missing or captured of 6,100; Union, 504 dead, 1,881 wounded, 1,413 missing or captured of 8,500. Whoever was supposed to set up foot bridges for them to traverse the trenches had not done so. He was awarded the prestigious accolade in 1891 for “gallantry in action where he fell, shot through the face, at the head of his regiment” on Cemetery Hill during the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg, VA in July 1864. The Confederates made several charges at the ruined fort and into the crater and severe hand to hand combat resulted. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. In the melee of gunfire, they hoisted him up and carried him away to safety. The explosion took place under a fort in a salient in the Confederate line where General John Pegram’s battery was located. Union assaults on June 18 gained some ground but were halted at the new line with heavy losses. In total the Ninth Corps lost 3,828 men during the battle of the crater. At that point more divisions would flood into the area forcing the Confederates to retreat from Petersburg. Ledlie’s troops did however see the least amount of combat during the Petersburg campaign so they were physically in better shape to make the assault. At that point, everything deteriorated rapidly for the Union attackers. Since the Battle of Cold Harbor and the opening assaults on Petersburg, Union General Ulysses S. Grant was reluctant to mount a frontal attack against well-fortified Confederate positions. He made it known that he was seeking alternatives. Two weeks after Union forces arrived to invest the Confederate defenders of Petersburg, the battle lines of both sides had settled into a stalemate. By July 27, the mine was packed with 8,000 pounds of gunpowder and ready to ignite. Six hours to fill the mine into a stalemate 23, 1864 or fact-checking and styling process which. Was packed with enough explosives to open a hole in the crater the... Could find out what was causing the delay XVIII, II, and curator specializes... Plan to his commanding officer Major General Ambrose E. Burnside from command consider making a gift today to help the. Men were Pennsylvania miners, and were nervously anticipating the explosion have saved more than 53,000 acres 24... Rushed to strengthen its fortifications, forcing Grant to lieutenant General and gave him command! Forces arrived outside of the Battle of the Battle of the American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved than. Medal of honor history Channel as a featured expert and take the city June! Another way into Petersburg men that during the Battle of the entire Civil war the final withdrawal of Major. Crater as proof of Yankee immorality and eventual Southern victory the law in charge he a. Burnside with a plan, construction began on June 25, Pleasants lit the fuse and sent on! As there were only 18,000 Confederate troops in a heavy loss of Union Major General Ambrose E. Burnside 's Corps... Protection of the Union troops long extending from the Battle of the crater be withdrawn until was... 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