Battle of the Crater

Park Event · Petersburg National Battlefield · Sep 2, 2026 – Sep 4, 2026 · 11:00 AM–11:45 AM

An explosion shook the earth early in the morning, on July 30, 1864. Soon after the battle of the Crater begins.

Program Details

Join a Park Ranger for a 30-45-minute program discussing the following:

• The Pennsylvania soldiers who engineered and constructed the over 500-foot tunnel
• The strategies and brutalities of the battle
• The role of Black troops in the battle
• Confederate General William Mahone's counterattack

Meeting Point

Meet the Park Ranger for this free program at the parking lot for Stop #8.

Important Information

Program is subject to cancellation due to weather or other issues.

Source: National Park Service (public domain).