THE BATTLE OF THE MINE

Case, Ervin T.

Published by Sidney S. Rider, Providence, 1878, 1878

About this Item

BOOK DESCRIPTION: Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors Historical Society, Series 1, No 10. 37 pgs. Frontis. Original printed wrappers. Limited to 250 copies. CONDITION DESCRIPTION: Light chipping on spine ends, front cover detached, else original wrappers complete. Author s inked name on front cover. Cover as additional inked scribbling, else VG. CONTENTS DESCRIPTION: This narrative of a captain of the 9th New Hampshire Infantry treats the Battle of the Crater, near Petersburg, in 1864. After weeks of preparation, on July 30 the Federals exploded a mine in Burnside's IX Corps sector beneath Pegram's Salient, blowing a gap in the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. From this propitious beginning, everything deteriorated rapidly for the Union attackers. Unit after unit charged into and around the crater, where soldiers milled in confusion. The Confederates quickly recovered and launched several counterattacks led by Maj. Gen. William Mahone. The break was sealed off, and the Federals were repulsed with severe casualties. Ferrarro's division of black soldiers was badly mauled. This may have been Grant's best chance to end the Siege of Petersburg. Instead, the soldiers settled in for another eight months of trench warfare. Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside was relieved of command for his role in the debacle. REFERENCES: DORN NH 35A. CIZ.

Seller Inventory # 0624046

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE BATTLE OF THE MINE
• Publisher: Sidney S. Rider, Providence, 1878
• Publication Date: 1878
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: Very Good