Confederate Counterattack

Union disorganization gave the Confederates time to respond to the crisis at the Crater. At 9 a.m., Confederate Brig. Gen. William Mahone’s division rushed to the depression about 200 yards to the right. Just as the Federals were forming to renew the attack, Mahone’s leading brigade charged. In a wild melee against great odds, the 800 Virginians recaptured the trenches here, just north of the Crater. Later, other Confederates attacked the Crater itself. By mid-afternoon the Crater and its surrounding works were again in Confederate hands.

Petersburg, Virginia · United States