On This Date July 30,1864-the Battle of the Crater

July 30, 1864 – American Civil War: Battle of the Crater: Union forces attempt to break
Confederate lines at Petersburg, Virginia by exploding a large bomb under their trenches.
Unfortunately, in the ensuing smoke screen, Union forces, including many African American
soldiers, fell into the crater. There, with no means of climbing out, they were slaughtered by
Confederate forces.