On July 30, 1864, during the American Civil War, the Union forces attempted a major assault by exploding a mine beneath the Confederate lines near Petersburg, Virginia. The explosion created a large crater, which Union forces hoped to exploit. However, the attack was poorly planned, and the Union soldiers, including white and Black divisions from the Ninth Corps, faced strong resistance and heavy casualties. The Ninth Corps’ Black division, in particular, sustained significant losses during the ill-fated charge.

While the broader Union attack failed, there was some success that day. The Forty-third United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.), a regiment of Black soldiers, performed admirably by capturing over 200 Confederate soldiers and two stands of colors (flags), marking a notable achievement amid the overall Union defeat at the Battle of the Crater. This day highlighted the courage and contributions of Black soldiers in the Civil War, despite the challenges they faced.