On the morning of July 30, 1864, Union troops exploded a mine underneath Elliott's Salient, an earthwork (jutting out to form an angle) defending Petersburg. The result is one of the most talked-about incidents of the entire Civil War. Douglas Ullman, Jr. visits the battlefield and speaks with guests about the involvement of the USCT 4th Division and the events that make the Battle of the Crater at Petersburg unforgettable.
Civil War in Four Minutes: Fortifications
Civil War Trust
In this In4 video segment, Historian Garry Adelman explains the various types of fortifications used by both sides during the Civil War. This video is part of the Civil War Trust's In4 video series, which presents short videos on basic Civil War topics.