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Episode 13: Battle of the Crater
In this episode of The Civil Weird Podcast, we dive into one of the strangest and most chaotic battles of the American Civil War: the Battle of the Crater. This bizarre and deadly confrontation, set amidst the siege of Petersburg in 1864, saw Union forces attempt to break Confederate lines by detonating a massive underground explosion—only to descend into confusion and horror in the resulting crater. We’ll explore the battle’s unconventional tactics, unexpected outcomes, and eerie atmosphere that set it apart in the annals of Civil War history.
We also spotlight the personal story of Lewis Martin, a brave soldier from the 29th United States Colored Troops who endured unimaginable suffering during the battle. Losing his right arm and left leg and sustaining additional gunshot wounds, Martin’s journey of survival and sacrifice is both harrowing and inspiring. Today, his legacy continues. After being laid to rest in an unmarked grave for decades, Martin is now resting in power in a government-marked grave at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Join us as we uncover the weird, the wild, and the human elements of this unforgettable chapter in Civil War history. Let’s make it Civil Weird!
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By Adam J. Krall/Paul Golladay/Christopher StrattonIn this episode of The Civil Weird Podcast, we dive into one of the strangest and most chaotic battles of the American Civil War: the Battle of the Crater. This bizarre and deadly confrontation, set amidst the siege of Petersburg in 1864, saw Union forces attempt to break Confederate lines by detonating a massive underground explosion—only to descend into confusion and horror in the resulting crater. We’ll explore the battle’s unconventional tactics, unexpected outcomes, and eerie atmosphere that set it apart in the annals of Civil War history.
We also spotlight the personal story of Lewis Martin, a brave soldier from the 29th United States Colored Troops who endured unimaginable suffering during the battle. Losing his right arm and left leg and sustaining additional gunshot wounds, Martin’s journey of survival and sacrifice is both harrowing and inspiring. Today, his legacy continues. After being laid to rest in an unmarked grave for decades, Martin is now resting in power in a government-marked grave at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Join us as we uncover the weird, the wild, and the human elements of this unforgettable chapter in Civil War history. Let’s make it Civil Weird!