Dictionary of Battles / From the Earliest Date to the Present Time

by Thomas Benfield Harbottle

Petersburg (American Civil War).

On June 30, 1864, a mine was exploded under the Confederate defences in front of Petersburg, and an attempt was made by the Federals to carry the entrenchments during the confusion that ensued. The Confederates, however, stood their ground, repulsing all attacks with heavy loss, and of the Federals who succeeded in entering the breast-works, 5,000 were killed or captured. Both the generals commanding, Lee and Grant, were present during the action.