Petersburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Prelude to the Crater
— Petersburg National Battlefield —
- Col. Stephen M. Weld, 50th Massachusetts July 28, 1864
The predawn darkness of July 30, 1864, shrouded intense Union preparations on this ridge. Thousands of troops filed quietly into the ravine and trenches in front. More than 160 cannon crowded the earthworks to your right and left. Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside, commander of the attacking force, took his place in the 14-gun battery (Fort Morton) behind you. By 3:30 a.m. all was ready. Only one detail remained: the explosion of the mine.
(map caption) The Federals massed nearly 15,000 men and more than 160 cannons for the attack. Most of the earthworks that protected them were plowed over by the Taylor family after the war.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1864.
Location. 37° 13.105′ N, 77° 22.306′ W. Marker is in Petersburg, Virginia. Marker is on Siege Road, 2½ miles south of Oaklawn Boulevard (Virginia Route 36), on the right when traveling south. Marker is in Petersburg National Battlefield on the Auto Tour Road at Tour Stop 7. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Petersburg VA 23803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Fatal Error (here, next to this marker); Waiting Their Turn (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Struggle Across Poor Creek (approx. 0.2 miles away); Digging the Mine (approx. ¼ mile away); Ventilation Shaft (approx. ¼ mile away); Joshua L. Chamberlain Promoted “On The Spot” (approx. 0.3 miles away); “A Stupendous Failure” (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Counterattack (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Petersburg.
Also see . . .
1. Petersburg National Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on April 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of the Crater: July 30, 1864. The Siege of Petersburg Online (Submitted on August 28, 2023.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,159 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on August 19, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 12, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on October 31, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.