Petersburg National
Battlefield in Virginia this weekend will remember the Battle of the Crater with
the first major living history event the park has hosted since 2019.Cannon demonstration during a previous Crater event (NPS)
Crater Days are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (July 29-30) with formal programs beginning
each day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The Battle of the
Crater, which occurred July 30, 1864, followed a Union attempt to break the
siege lines. A mine explosion shattered a Confederate position held by South
Carolinians. Federal troops rushed in the breach but became they targets when
they massed in an area with little room to maneuver.
The attack turned
into a Federal defeat after vicious hand-to-hand fighting. Defenders regrouped and massacred US Colored Troops wounded
or surrendering in the Crater.
Eric Schreiner,
manager of interpretation at the park, told the Picket in an email that about
35 living historians will participate, including the Princess Anne Greys and
the 12th Virginia.
General view of the Crater at Petersburg (NPS) |
“NPS staff will be on site, but living
historians between programs will be available to the public to discuss the
everyday life of the solider around their camp,” Schreiner said. “We focus
on leadership and discuss successes and failures that happen leading up to and
during the battle.”
On Saturday
at the Eastern Front Visitor Center, there will be displays focused on the
civilian experience from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Alfred Waud depiction of the futile attack (Library of Congress)
Schreiner said he hopes the staff can offer more for the 160th anniversary of the Crater in 2024. “Hopefully, next year we will be able to find some units to be Federals. I have some contacts with a few already, including some USCT groups.”
If you go: Start at the Eastern Front Visitor Center at 5001 Siege Road, Petersburg. The Crater battlefield is four miles down the tour road from the visitor center. The grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bring water, sun protection and wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather. For more information about the event, email eric_schreiner@nps.gov.
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